Manila Standard - 2016 September 27 - Tuesday

ZIKA INFECTS 12TH VICTIM, A PREGNANT WOMAN

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

VOL. XXX • NO. 227 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

THE Department of Health on Monday reported the first pregnant Zika victim in the Philippines.

Health Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said the 22-year-old woman, who is 19 weeks pregnant with her first child, would be monitored regularly during the entire period of her pregnancy.

An initial ultrasound did not detect any fetal abnormalities, she said.

While the Zika virus is non-fatal to the general population, Ubial said it can result in babies with small heads— a condition called microcephaly—and other brain defects.

The pregnant woman is among the three latest Zika cases, which brought to 12 the total number of local infections.

Ubial said all the 12 cases—with ages ranging from 9 to 55—were reported this month after tests conducted at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

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Du30: Jail awaits Leila ‘For using drug money, a no-bail offense’

Amid injustice, Rody asks: Where is God?

By John Paolo Bencito

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday questioned God for allowing the people to suffer in the face of injustice.

Defending his preference for the reimposition of the death penalty as retribution for crimes,

Duterte questioned the existence of God. “The problem is, I ask you, what if there is no God?…

When a one-year-old or an18month baby is taken from the mother’s arm, brought under a jeep and raped and killed, where Next page is God?”

By John Paolo Bencito and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday vowed to jail his most vocal political opponent, embattled Senator Leila de Lima, whom he accused of using drug money to fund her successful senatorial campaign.

Responding to De Lima’s criticism that his administration was screening what UN investigators could see, Duterte shot back, saying he had the goods to put her in jail.

“De Lima, she screwed her driver and screwed the nation.... She will be in jail, I assure you because of the testimonial and circumstantial evidence. She will be in jail because everyone’s now linking her and saying that they contributed money,” Duterte said in his speech.

“On a national scale, who brought

in narco-politics? It is here already.

You elected a senator who was into narco-politics, who was being financed by the convicts inside the prison.... What do you call that?”

De Lima shot back, asking Duterte if he had a crush on her.

“I cannot resist asking the President: what do you see in me that you find so sexual? Why is your mind fixated on my sexual aspect? You are so obsessed with me. Why?” De Lima said.

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Sexy starlet nabbed, 50 others eyed in narc war

HIGH GEAR. President Rodrigo Duterte, fielding questions from the Malacañang Press Corps Monday, vows to jail his most cutthroat political critic Senator Leila de Lima (inset) whom he claims used the country’s top criminals to support her bid for the Senate in May, with the latter describing the former as already irrationally enraged and has become as ‘now the lowest, vilest man in the country.’ Lino Santos

Duterte vows to resign 74 Visayas officials face drug raps Mel Caspe and Rey E. if probers find ‘killings’ ByRequejo EXPRESSING his openness to subject himself to a “garbage probe” by human rights bodies, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday vowed to step down from office if his critics could prove there had been state-sanctioned killings in the country.

“If there were killings, I will resign tonight. I’ll give you my resignation,” Duterte told reporters.

“I’m not a fool to keep the presidency. Truth to tell, I don’t want

[the presidency].”

Duterte made his statement even as a United Nations rights rapporteur told AFP she intended to visit the Philippines to investigate Duterte’s deadly war on crime, but was seeking security guarantees for the people she planned to speak with.

Duterte last week said he would allow UN and EU experts to look into the thousands of Next page

GOLF LEGEND. US professional golfer Arnold Palmer, in this file photo taken on April 7, 2016, viewed as one of the greatest and most influential players in the sport’s history, has died at the age of 87.

Dubbed by the US Golf Association as ‘golf’s greatest ambassador,’ Palmer died at the UPMC Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was undergoing heart tests, according to the Pittsburg Post-Bazette. AFP twitter.com/ MlaStandard

TACLOBAN CITY—At least 74 government officials and 154 civilians will face charges for allegedly protecting the illegal drug operation of Kerwin Espinosa, who has been tagged as the big-

gest drug lord in Eastern Visayas.

These people were identified by Kerwin’s father, Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. of Albuera town in a sworn statement that detailed his son’s illegal operation, said Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa said the filing of the

charges had been delayed because they were strengthening the evidence against the suspects. Dela Rosa said they were getting the affidavits of nine allies of the Espinosas who could corroborate the claim of the mayor that these individuals were receiving protection money from Kerwin. Next page

FORMER starlet Sabrina M, whose real name is Karen Pallasigue, was arrested in an anti-drug operation in Quezon City Sunday night, an official said Monday.

Quezon City Police Chief Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar presented Pallasigue to reporters.

He also presented several mugshots of Pallasigue and a surveillance video showing her sniffing shabu.

Eleazar presented Pallasique even as Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa said they were ready to place under “Oplan Tokhang” personalities in show business who are involved in illegal drugs.

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Congress takes up ’17 budget, tax reforms

PH-US ties nearing a ‘point of no return?’

THE House of Representatives on Monday began its plenary debates on the P3.35-trillion national budget for 2017 that Malacañang says carries President Rodrigo Duterte’s agenda for “real change.”

In his sponsorship speech for House Bill 3408, Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles said the 2017 national budget “aims to ensure that our limited resources are maximized towards making our government work better for our people, most especially those in the countrysides who have felt forgotten and neglected.”

The Finance Department on Monday submitted to the House the first package of tax reforms designed to lower the personal income taxes rates while raising revenue to help finance the Duterte administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda for inclusive growth.

The first of the four sets of tax reforms was submitted to the

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Monday he was about to cross a “point of no return” in terms of the Philippines’ relationship with it’s long-term ally the United States, and also insisted he was not afraid of any credit downgrades as a result of his war on illegal drugs.

“I’m about to cross the Rubicon between me and the United States at least for six years. I would need your help and everything: trade, commerce and I will open up,” he said referring to his meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Mevdevev at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.

Duterte made his statement even as Foreign Affairs on Monday said the Philippines was looking at the possibility of buying military equipment and technology from Russia, contrary to a previous report that Moscow planned to donate defense equipment to Manila or to provide them on loan.

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BREAD WELCOME. The country’s oldest premiere 570-room Manila Hotel welcomes guests through its bakeshop with a colorful display of a Christmas tree made of different colors of bread—reminding them that Yuletide in this predominantly Christian nation of 102 million is pulsating down the corner. Lino Santos

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Anti-terror drive: ASG man falls Z

AMBOANGA CITY―Combined police and military operatives on Monday arrested a suspected Abu Sayyaf Group brigand facing a string of criminal cases in this city.

The arrest came as President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to pursue the fight against terrorism, saying he will not talk nor grant amnesty to the Abu Sayyaf.

Chief Insp. Elmer Solon, Police Station 4 chief, identified the arrested suspect as Abdul Baliyung alias Majula Gani, 34, a resident of Barangay Sangali, this city.

Solon said Baliyung was arrested around 2:22 p.m. Monday in the vicinity of the Zamboanga International Airport by police and military intelligence personnel.

Solon said Baliyung has standing warrant of arrest for seven counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by a court in Isabela City, Basilan dated January 28, 2008.

He said the suspect is detained at the headquarters of Police Sta-

tion 4 pending turnover to the court concerned.

He said the suspect will also be placed under investigation to determine why he was at the airport.

Also on Monday, Duterte vowed he would not grant any amnesty to the Abu Sayyaf for the atrocities they have committed in the past.

“There will be no talks. There will never be an amnesty for Abu Sayyaf,” President Duterte said

Faeldon ‘misinformed’ on fire trucks CUSTOMS Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon may have been misled on the alleged undervaluation of the importation of 469 fire trucks consigned to the Bureau of Fire Protection in 2016.

The Kolonwel-Hubei Joint Venture complained that they were not treated fairly by the previous administration when their importation was not granted the tax exemption to which they were entitled to under the law. This exemption is reiterated

under Joint Circular No. 1 of the Department of Budget and Management and Department of Finance dated 30 April 2014, said the Joint Venture through lawyer Mark Andrew M. Santiago.

The Joint Venture said it had saved the Bureau of Fire Protection an estimated P6,000,000,000 compared to other fire trucks delivered by their competitors. The Joint venture said that those behind this smear campaign are the losing

bidders who had gained from the supply of overpriced firetrucks in the past.

They made the payment to facilitate the release and delivery of the fire trucks as required by the Circular which also allows its reimbursement in accordance with requisite procedure.

The amount of taxes and duties paid by the joint venture was based on the total value of the unit which included delivery charges, miscellaneous expenses, com-

missioning and testing expenses, handling fees, training expenses, sales tax, value-added tax and the delivery costs to end users.

This misunderstanding could have been avoided, had the previous officials of the Department of Interior and Local Government and Bureau of Fire Protection under the Aquino administration applied for the exemption, which they have done for other suppliers in the past.

Du30...

She described the President as the lowest and vilest man in the country for his rudeness, and said she pitied him for what he has been doing to destroy her.

At a separate press briefing, Duterte said De Lima faced criminal charges for allegedly condoning the illegal drug trade inside the national penitentiary.

“It’s drugs, actually. That would be non-bailable. Next time that she’s in prison, she will have how many lovers that she wants. That b****. She’s... telling lies. She wanted to gain an upper hand during the elections,” the President said.

Duterte, who asked De Lima last week to “hang herself” for “screwing the nation,” earlier said that Justice officials are now starting to probe into the accountability of other officials under the Aquino administration

who allegedly benefited from the illegal drug trade.

A prosecutor before entering politics, the President said that if he had the opportunity to grill De Lima, he would ask her what he was doing for four hours inside the air conditioned hut of convict and drug lord Jaybee Sebastian. He would also ask her why she had an asset such as Sebastian. Did she not trust the NBI or the military?

Duterte said he was sure De Lima was going to jail.

“I am sure of my evidence.

You wanted to be well known, [as] the only lady who has balls, but she kept on playing [with] other’s balls,” Duterte said.

In a Senate probe led by De Lima herself before she was stripped of her chairmanship, a self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato tagged Duterte as being behind the killing of more than 1,000 suspects by the Davao Death Squad.

The President, however, questioned Matobato, and said De Lima, a former Justice secretary,

investigated him but never filed any charges against him.

In the House, lawmakers said they would compel De Lima’s former driver and bodyguard, Ronnie Dayan, to attend congressional hearings on the proliferation of illegal drugs at the New Bilibid Prison.

“We arrived at a decision to issue subpoena against him,” Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali said, as his panel resumes hearing on Oct. 5.

Dayan went into hiding after he was tagged as De Lima’s bagman in the NBP. Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu expressed confidence that Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez would sign the subpoena and even an arrest warrant.

“We want to ferret out the truth here and I am confident that the Speaker will permit our request by signing the subpoena against Dayan and later possibly an arrest warrant against him,” Abu said.

Dayan reportedly was the one

who received P10 million that former National Bureau of Investigation deputy director Rafael Ragos and Jovencio Ablen Jr. allegedly delivered to the Parañaque City house of De Lima when she was still Justice secretary.

On the other hand, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said it would no longer be necessary to have Sebastian testify before the House panel.

“I was told that Jaybee only wants to limit his testimony to anomalies in the food supply there [in NBP]. I rejected it because he will not speak the entire truth,” Aguirre said.

“There is no need for him to testify because the testimonies of the other inmates were already clear...

I don’t see any reason for Jaybee to still appear there,” he said.

Aguirre said the House committee on justice does not have to issue a subpoena to Sebastian because, as an inmate, his political rights are suspended. With Maricel V. Cruz and Rey E. Requejo

Zika...

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Eight of the victims were females. Ten were from Western Visayas, one was from Central Visayas and one was from Metro Manila.

The Health secretary said the cases did not have a history of travel to an affected country a month before the onset of their illness.

However, the DoH has yet to establish if the virus had been transmitted through other means like sexual intercourse, a needle prick, or blood donations in the recent cases.

All of the confirmed cases experienced skin rashes with any one of the following: fever, muscle or joint pains, or conjunctivitis without eye discharge. All have recovered from their mild illness.

DoH quick response teams were sent to affected areas to conduct case investigations and to recommend specific measures to prevent the virus from spreading further.

Iloilo City is carrying out indoor residual spraying coupled with fogging in affected and high-risk areas to reduce adult mosquito density. Efforts were also made to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

People were advised to avoid mosquito bites by applying insect repellent over exposed areas at least a week after onset of their illness.

Zika Virus Disease is primarily transmitted via mosquito bites. The Aedes Aegypti is responsible for spreading Zika virus and also Dengue and Chikungunya viruses. In Brazil and other countries, pregnant women who got infected at anytime during their pregnancy have increased risk of giving birth to babies with congenital defects affecting the brain.

Sexual transmission was also reported as another means of getting the Zika virus.

Senior Insp. Jovie Espenido, Albuera police chief, said those who were holding government positions would be charged at the Office of the Ombudsman.

He added that the documents that they had put together were so voluminous that they would fill a multicab.

Dela Rosa, who was here for the 115th police service anniversary at the PNP Eastern Visayas headquarters at Camp Ruperto Kangleon, was given a copy of

Mayor Espinosa’s affidavit by Espenido and Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, police regional director.

During a news conference last week, Dela Rosa was asked to reveal the names of the people linked by the mayor to the illegal drug trade but he declined, saying they needed to file the cases first so arrest warrants would be issued.

“There were many exciting personalities. You will be interested to know them. They are prominent,” De la Rosa said.

Espenido said paperwork for the complaints against 74 people, mostly government employ-

ees, also contributed to the delay in the filing of charges.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said two signal jammers would be installed inside Building 14 at the New Bilibid Prison to stop inmates from using their cellphones to conduct business.

Aguirre made the disclosure after two signal jammers, costing P2 million each, arrived at the Justice Department. The jammers can cover 1,200 square meters and are said to be 10 times more powerful than the improvised jammer inside the NBP.

those who spoke with her did not face retribution.

“The date and scope of the fact-finding mission will be discussed and negotiated with the government, along with essential guarantees,” she said.

In his invitation, Duterte said any probe should follow his own conditions.

“From my experience, they will get the report from Human Rights Watch, the report in Davao [City when he was mayor there], and the report here where I am President and they will ask me questions,” Duterte said.

“Then, after that, they will make a report to their commission and then it goes to the assembly.

Then it is deliberated on [and] what will be my participation?

The report they will be getting

would be all garbage coming from [Senator Leila] De Lima.”

In an address, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay told the United Nations not to meddle in the country’s domestic affairs, even as he said the Duterte administration was determined to observe due process and the rule of law in its war on illegal drugs.

“We hope everyone will allow us to deal with our domestic challenge in order to achieve our national goals without undue interference,” Yasay said.

He spoke during the ministerial meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York following criticisms here and abroad about the alleged rampant human rights violations due to the war on drugs.

John Paolo Bencito and AFP

to 25 percent from 32 percent and a shift to a modified gross tax system.

Nograles said the proposed national budget for next year was pro-poor as it “expands the productive capacities of the national economy to ensure that the poor are enabled to engage in the processes of and benefit from the fruits of growth.”

“It is a budget that pours public resources where it counts most: to support the policy and program infrastructures for social change and sustained economic development,” Nograles said.

The proposed budget for next year is 11.6 percent higher than

the 2016 national budget of P3.002 trillion.

With a higher budget, Nograles said, the government would have more room to finance socioeconomic services to ensure that no one was left behind in the “pursuit of equitable prosperity.”

“In order for real change to happen, growth must be felt by all―especially by the most disadvantaged classes in our society,” Nograles said.

The Budget Department says the 2017 national budget is 20.4 percent of the GDP compared to this year’s 20.1 percent. Maricel V. Cruz and PNA

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killings since he took office on June 30, but he also challenged them to face him in public debates.

While the government has yet to issue formal invitations, the UN rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard, said she would solicit one.

“I welcome the reports recently [conveyed] through the media that the president and government of the Philippines will invite a UN mission to investigate the alleged extrajudicial executions,” Callamard said in a statement emailed to AFP. She said she would insist on a range of measures to ensure that

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House committee on ways and means led by Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua. Those proposals include the restructuring of the personal income tax or PIT system, the expansion of the value-added tax base by reducing the coverage of its exemptions, the adjustment of the excise taxes imposed on petroleum products, and the restructuring of the excise tax on vehicles.

The PIT reforms include the reduction of the personal income tax

in Malacañang on Monday.

“I have to do my job. The Abu Sayyaf were decapitating people,” Duterte said in a speech he delivered at the oathtaking of officials of Malacañang Press Corps, Malacañang Cameramen Association, and Presidential Photographers Association at the Palace’s Heroes hall.

Duterte had ordered the state forces to enforce an operation to suppress the Abu Sayyaf group,

which is famous for kidnappings, beheading and bombings, in Basilan and Sulu.

He earlier said that the bandit group was fighting to establish a Caliphate, which is a kingdom for the Muslim.

“Abu Sayyaf no longer hungers for independence in Mindanao.

They are no longer hungry for autonomy; they are hungry for a fight to establish a Caliphate in Southeast Asia,” Duterte said.

Helen heads toward Taiwan

By Catherine J. Teves TYPHOON “Helen” (international name “Megi”) maintained its strength as it continued to move toward the Batanes-Taiwan area, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in its Monday afternoon update.

‘Helen’ was spotted at some 415 kilometers east-northeast of Basco, Batanes province as of 4 p.m. Monday.

‘Helen’ packed maximum sustained winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour near its center and gustiness of up to 185 kph, Pagasa said. It forecast ‘Helen’ to move

west-northwest at 20 kph.

The agency expects ‘Helen’ to be 325 km north of Basco by Tuesday morning and outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday afternoon or at 705 km northwest of Basco.

Tropical cyclone warning signal No. 2 is over Batanes where 61 kph to 120 kph winds are expected, noted Pagasa.

Waves in open seas bordering areas under signal 2 can reach 4.1 meters to 14 meters high and storm surge is possible there, it said.

Pagasa also said signal No. 1 is over Cagayan province’s northern areas, including Babuyan Islands, as 30 kph to 60 kph winds are expected there. PNA

“And in Syria, women and children who do not want to sex with the ISIS, they are burned. So, where is God? My God, where are you?”

While raised with Catholic values, Duterte asked why God would allow pain to be inflicted on others.

“I believe in God, but that is my perpetual question to him. Where were you when we needed you?

It’s not enough to say, at the end of the day, at the end of the world, He shall come to judge the living and the dead. What will be the purpose of all of that, if the heart-

ache, sorrows and agony have already been inflicted upon the human beings in this world?”

Duterte, who publicly cursed Pope Francis after blaming him for getting stuck in traffic, Duterte said he was sexually abused as a child at the hands of a Catholic priest.

Duterte said that while Filipinos are taught as Catholics to acknowledge God’s presence, he questioned him for doing nothing about the world’s injustices.

“We are always taught, that’s life, that everything begins and ends with God,” he said. “So God knew at that time when he created this planet that these things will happen. So my God, why did you do it?”

Aguirre declined to reveal the identity of the Filipino who donated the jammers.

Building 14 currently houses 53 high-profile inmates including Herbert Colanggo, Jaybee Sebastian and Peter Co, who allegedly still managed their drug operation from inside the national penitentiary.

Aguirre said they need nore jammers to cover the nine-hectare Maximum Security Compound, saying it was important to cut off the inmates’ communication with the outside to stop illegal drug transactions.

Despite a series of raids in

which thousands of mobile phones were confiscated, inmates continue to bring in the cellphones.

Also on Monday, Dela Rosa underscored the need to amend the Anti-Wire Tapping Law so that the government can win the war on illegal drugs.

Days after arriving from fiveday visit in Columbia, Dela Rosa said that wire tapping would be an effective tool for monitoring the transactions of drug syndicates.

He said he would ask the President to make the amendment of the law a priority bill. With Francisco Tuyay

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He made the statement in the face of reports that some 50 showbiz personalities were allegedly included in the list of President Rodrigo Duterte who are involved in illegal drugs.

“Surrender now because you have been identified as users,” Dela Rosa said.

Pallasigue, 39, was nabbed with two other people aged 28 and 29 in Pasong Tamo, Quezon City,

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“We have been briefed on the different modes of financing, but there have been no discussions on donating or lending military equipment or technology,” Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta said.

In Malacañang, Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said Duterte was ready to discuss the South China Sea dispute if the issue came up during his two-day visit to Vietnam on Wednesday and Thursday. ”The President will be prepared to discuss the South China Sea issue,” Jose said.

If ever the WPS issue was raised, the discussion would be in the context of emphasizing the need to pursue peace, stability and security in the region, he said.

around 11:45 p.m. on Sunday.

A police officer posed as a buyer of shabu worth P6,000 from Pallasigue, who was caught in possession of three sachets of suspected shabu, lighters and other materials for sniffing the drug, Eleazar said.

“We want to know who is supplying her,” he told reporters.

Pallasigue appeared in movies in the 1990s including Favorite Subject: Sex Education in 1999 and Karanasan: The Claudia Zobel Story, in 1995. Rio N. Araja and PNA ”It will also be in the context of reaffirming our firm commitment to the peaceful settlement of the dispute and adherence to the rule of law.”

Responding to a statement by credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s last week that the country would not likely have a rating upgrade in the next two years because of Duterte’s unpredictability, the President said he didn’t mind about the implications and that he would run to China and Russia to sustain the country’s economy.

“I can always establish another alliance. I will establish alliances with China and Russia,” Duterte said in another speech.

Duterte, who is set to visit China next month, said that he “will open up all avenues of trade and commerce” between the two countries.

John Paolo Bencito, Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and PNA

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Probe of judges finished soon—SC

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court’s investigation of the four judges implicated by President Rodrigo Duterte in the illegal drugs trade will be concluded soon, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said Monday.

“We already started the investigation and we hope to conclude soon. There are four judges being investigated and unless anything concrete comes from law enforcement agencies or from the President himself, we hope to conclude the probe,” Sereno said, during an interview at the sidelines of the 3rd Asian Judges Symposium on Law Policy and Climate Change at the Asian Development Bank headquarters in Mandaluyong City where she delivered the welcome address.

However, Sereno declined to give further comment on the probe of the so-called narcojudges.

SC Associate Justice Roberto Abad has been tapped to spearhead the investigation of Judge Exequil Dagala, MTC, Dapa-Socorro in Siargao island, Judge Adriano Savillo, RTC, Branch 30, Iloilo City, Judge Domingo Casiple, RTC, Branch 7, Kalibo, Aklan, and Judge Antonio Reyes, RTC, Branch 1, Baguio City after President Duterte implicated them to illegal drugs trade.

Meanwhile, Sereno said she will discuss again with the leadership of the Philippine National Police on how to fast-track the enforcement of writs of kalikasan issued by the courts.

Sereno expressed concern about the slow enforcement of such writs.

While the Chief magistrate already discussed the matter with the PNP during the previous leadership, she would again be willing to do the same with the present leadership.

“I have tried that with the previous leadership so that we can have an understanding the moment these issuances are served on them. They have to act forthwith,” Sereno said.

Aside from the PNP, Sereno said she would also discuss the matter with the local government units and other executive agencies of the government.

STILL HOPING. Survivors of Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ and their non-government partners, led by Danny Carranza, report the changes that have occurred in ‘Yolanda’-hit areas under the Duterte administration. Ey Acasio

Pinoys losing edge to Chinese seamen

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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HE Philippines is losing its edge in seamanship as China overtook the country as the world’s top producer of seafarers, particularly ship officers, according to the Catholic Church’s agency dedicated to the maritime workers in 200 ports and more than 30 countries around the world.

“The Chinese are now taking over and there are other nationalities that are coming forward especially for the officers and Filipinos should work double time,” said Fr. Bruno Ciceri, representative of the Apostleship of the Sea International, otherwise known as Stella Maris.

Speaking at the 21st National Seafarers’ Day celebration at the SMX at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Ciceri said many companies still prefer Filipino seafarers but

China has now produced the most number of seafarers qualified for international shipping.

He said while the Philippine is still the top supplier of rated seafarers, it has lagged behind China in producing officers which will be needed in the next 10 years.

According to a report of the Baltic and International Maritime Council and the International Chamber of Shipping, there is now a shortfall of 16,500 officers while the world will need 92,000

officers in 2020 and 147,500 more in 2025. There is, on the other hand, a surplus of rated seafarers at 116,000.

“There are many Filipino ratings but for Filipino officers, we have less. We need more Filipino officers and I would advise Filipinos to work hard to improve their capacity to become officers because that is what is lacking in the [maritime industry],” Ciceri said.

Before China’s takeover, the Philippines had long held the position of being the world’s capital source of seafarers with some 367,000 Filipino seafarers deployed all over the world.

Filipino seafarers are the top choice in the international maritime industry because of their industry, compassion, resilience and good grasp of the English language, Ciceri said.

Ciceri, was guest of honor in this year’s celebration of the Seafarer’s Day with the theme “Marinong Pilipino: Tatak ng Kahusayan.”

IN BRIEF Cops retake N. Cotabato provl jail

The event, which was attended by some 4,000 seafarers and maritime students and their families, was co-sponsored by the Apostleship of the Sea, the Committee on the National Seafarer’s Day and SM Global Pinoy.

Also gracing the event were 60 foreign delegates of the International Christian Maritime Association who came to the country to know more about Filipino culture and how to assist them wherever they are in the globe.

Icma is an ecumenical association which is actively engaged in upholding the welfare of people who work at sea and their families.

Ciceri, who also headed the Icma delegation, said they will spend a week in the Philippines to meet Filipino seafarers, maritime officials and students and conduct lectures. “Many of the delegates are here in the Philippines for the first time and it is a learning experience for them,” he said.

Retro suspensions must end–Alvarez

By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday filed a measure that seeks to stop the Sandiganbayan from suspending incumbent public officials retroactively.

In filing House Bill 3605, Alvarez proposes to amend Section 13 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act that allows the anti-graft court to suspend incumbent officials charged with graft or violation of the Revised Penal Code involving illegal use of public funds.

“This bill seeks to amend Section 13 of RA 3019 by providing an exception to the imposition of preventive suspension against public officers,” Alvarez said in

the bill’s explanatory note said Alvarez filed the measure in the light of Sandiganbayan order to suspend Reps. Amado Espino Jr. of Pangasinan and LRay Villafuerte of Camariñes Sur over graft charges levelled against them.

Alvarez said the exception shall be applicable to public officers who are no longer connected with the office wherein the offense charged was committed.

“As preventive suspension is imposed to prevent an accused from influencing potential witnesses or tampering with records, the change in circumstances of the public officer effectively removes this threat, making the provision in line with the spirit and intent of the law,” Alvarez said.

Aquino, Abad told to reply to charges THE Ombudsman has directed former President Benigno Aquino III and former Budget secretary Florencio Abad to answer charges of illegal use of public funds, usurpation of legislative powers and violation of Republic Act 3019, or graft.

Renato Reyes of Bayan Muna posted in his Facebook account the first page of the Ombudsman’s order.

“Acting on the sworn complaint, the above-mentioned respondents are hereby required to file their counter-affidavit, to-

gether with the affidavits of their witnesses, and other supporting documents, if any, within 10 days from receipt of this order, in three eligible copies addressed to this Bureau through the Central Records Division, 2nd Floor, Ombudsman Bldg., Agham Road, Government Center, North Triangle, Diliman 1101 Quezon City, furnishing the complainants with a copy, with proof of service to the complainants who may file a reply thereto within a period of 10 days from receipt thereof,” the order read.

AUTHORITIES lobbed tear gas canisters to enter the main entrance of the North Cotabato Provincial Jail which inmates padlocked since Sept. 23 in protest to stricter policies imposed by its new warden.

The inmates earlier called for the ouster of Jail Supt. Peter Bungat Jr., NCPJ officer-in-charge, after the latter temporarily stopped prison visitation privileges due to the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the facility.

“The police strike team was able to confiscate some P60,000 believed to be drug money, blade weapons, and cellphones as they barged into the facility,” Bungat said.

The penitentiary houses some 1,200 detainees, 50 of whom are high-risk personalities involved in the illegal drug trade.

Only last month, three inmates identified as Mama Mandagia Makalati, Esmael Nasser alias Derbi, and Musanip Saplidan Kusin managed to bolt out from the facility.

Nasser, the most notorious of the trio, is implicated in the killing of a vice mayor in the province in 2014. PNA

Vet Vitug, 65 POET and former journalist Virgilio “Vet” Vitug died on Sept. 26 in his home after a lingering illness. He was 65.

Vitug suffered a stroke in October 2015 and was on his way to recovery until he succumbed to pneumonia April this year. He was in deep sleep for five months.

He worked as a journalist with The Manila Chronicle, Tempo, Channel 5, and ABS-CBN. He later joined government as media consultant including with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, and North Luzon Railways Corp.

Vitug is survived by his wife, Marites, son Alab, daughter in law Angel, grandchild Aurora and siblings Violet, Vessy, Didi, Vivian and Vot. PNA

GAMING TALK. Dr. Larry Cedro, assistant general manager for charity of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office explains his agency’s programs during the Samahang Plaridel Kapihan Sa Manila Hotel on Monday. Lino Santos

Aguirre orders drug tests at DoJ JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday ordered random drug tests for its officials, prosecutors and employees to cleanse its ranks of those involved in illegal drugs.

In his speech during the 119th anniversary of the Department of Justice, Aguirre again warned employees not to dabble in illegal activities, including the illegal drugs trade.

“For justice to work, we have to work. For the people to believe, we have to see to it that they can believe in prosecutors. We cannot prosecute if we ourselves are tainted by the very drugs we seek to eradicate,’’ Aguirre told DoJ employees, prosecutors and other Justice officials.

He stressed that DoJ will play a great part in the administration’s effort to dismantle illegal drugs syndicates operating in the country and the prosecution of those behind such activities

and as such, its actions, even resolutions issued should be credible.

“The DoJ will play a great part in the President’s effort to have a crime-free Philippines but great powers come with great responsibility. We have to see to it that they believe in our prosecutors,” DoJ chief said.

The DoJ chief said erring employees of the department will be prosecuted to the fullest intent of the law as he called on them to work with him in fulfilling the mandate of the department.

“Deal with drugs and you will find neither refuge nor respite from the law. Please stop it, please stop it and if despite this warning you continue your corrupt ways, the full resources of the DoJ will be thrown against you,’’ Aguirre said.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the ad interim appointments and nomination of the following officials: Cabinet Secretary Hon. Rafael V. Mariano – Secretary, Department of Agrarian Reform Armed Forces of the Philippines Ferdinand F. Quidilla - Lieutenant General; Ronald Joseph S. Mercado - Vice Admiral; Edgar F. Gonzales – Major General; Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, Dionisio L. Robles, Elvin B. Velasco (nomination), Eric R. Calip, Martin G. Villasan and Casiano C. Monilla – Brigadier General; Samuel Z. Felix and Giovanni Carlo J. Bacordo - Commodore The public may submit any information, written report or sworn complaints or oppositions in forty (40) copies on the above appointments and nomination to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 551-7532, 831-0893, 8311824, 834-2706, 831-1566 and 834-2713.

26 September 2016.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-SEPT. 27, 2016)

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Opinion

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

‘Undue interference’

A

T THE United Nations General Assembly over the weekend, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. warned the body against interfering with the Duterte administration’s war against illegal drugs.

Yasay asked the member-nations to allow the Philippines to deal with its own domestic challenges in order to achieve our national goals.

In the weeks following Mr. Duterte’s inauguration, the international community has raised the alarm over what appeared to be a spate of summary killings of suspected drug dealers, an overwhelming majority of whom hailed from depressed communities. About 3,000 have died

under these circumstances since June 30 alone —less than 100 days ago.

Duterte, for his part, has come out swinging against his most vocal critics including the UN, the United States and most recently the European Union.

The President has not hesitated to use foul language and gestures against these bodies which he perceives are hypocrites, attempting to lecture Filipinos on human rights when they themselves have not addressed their own issues or delivered justice to others.

Yasay took this message to the UN this weekend—thankfully without the expletives—and even attempted to assure the international community that everything done in the fight against drugs is legal.

“We have not and we will never empower our

law enforcement agents to shoot-to-kill individuals suspected of drug crimes...extrajudicial killings have no place in our society, and in our criminal justice system.”

But if everything were aboveboard, why get defensive and talk like a rogue state in the first place, practically asking the international community to back off? This is just another instance of the Duterte administration making conflicting statements that do little to boost our credibility outside the country.

There is no question that the drug menace is a monster that needs to be fought. What we need to show the world—and it is foolish to act as though we could ever really act on our own without minding the opinion of the community of nations —is that we know exactly how to temper this zeal with civility and respect for life.

EAGLE EYES TONY LA VIÑA

Celebrating excellence and service

Then Trillanes remembered who he was and quickly added: “Not yet.”

Of course, the reason Trillanes got to the Senate in the first place was his role in what has now been called the Oakwood Mutiny. That takeover of the swank Makati serviced apartment building in 2003 by Trillanes and his other Magdalo brethren would not have been possible if they had not been financed by former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Without the money from Estrada, then facing plunder charges, the Magdalo plot to oust thenPresident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would have remained a fantasy. It was while the plot was being hatched and then carried out that Trillanes first tasted the mercenary life; he hasn’t looked back since.

Unlike his more principled Magdalo comrades, Trillanes would stay a “merc.” He would become, after his election to the Senate, one of the most famous hitmen of the Aquino adminis-

TODAY, Tuesday, 27th of September 2016, the Ateneo de Manila will be conferring its Traditional University Awards to recognize the life and works of men and women in our society who exemplify the values of the university.

This year, our Board of Trustees has chosen to award four individuals and a group, all exemplars in their respective fields.

They are: Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines, Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan; Aga M, Butocan, Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi; Beatriz P Tesoro, Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi; Austere A. Panadero, Government Service Award; and Adolfo S. Azcuna, Lux-inDomino Award.

Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines, although it has been in the Philippines for 22 years, became well known for its relief operations in Leyte in the aftermath of Typhoon “Yolanda.” Their longtime work on disaster relief and rehabilitation, education, medicine, and environmental protection positioned them well for their extraordinary contribution to the “Yolanda” effort. In Leyte, the foundation alleviated the suffering of the poor, especially disaster victims, not only in terms of scale but also in the swift and effective way in which they are carried out. And they did so, as the announcement of this Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan describes it, “with joy, peace, kindness, and compassion.”

For the Tanglaw ng Lahi award, bestowed on artists, the Ateneo de Manila will recognizes today the work of a musician from Mindanao and an icon in Philippine design.

Aga Mayo Butocan is a kulintang master musician and ethnomusicologist from Maguindanao. Among others, he devised a musical notation system for the instrument so that it could be taught in a formal academic setting to non-Maguindanaons.

As a professor at the College of Music of the University of the Philippines for more than 40 years, she has given lectures and performances on the kulintang both here and abroad. She has also produced kulintang virtuosos and introduced many young Filipinos to the beauty, complexity, and richness of this indigenous musical tradition.

Patis Tesoro is the Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion, having devoted 30 years of her life to resurrecting the art and use of traditional Filipino fabrics, most significantly piña cloth. In fact, in the 1980s, our

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Trillanes levels up LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES AND here I was, thinking that the Senate had finally come to its senses about Mang Edgar, the guy who only went to first grade but who knew everything there was to know about the Davao Death Squad. Then the Senate’s mercenary-in-residence decided to take the floor.

So Senator Antonio Trillanes has leveled up, graduating from Senate timekeeper and microphone-minder to privilegespeech giver and resolution-proposer. How can you not believe that the agents of the former regime in the Senate are behind the move to destroy President Rodrigo Duterte using that poor sap, Matobato?

Apparently, the senators who are out to get Duterte have decided that Senator Leila de Lima has crashed and burned and is no longer suitable for the job of using Matobato for his intended

purpose. And because Senator Franklin Drilon is, for one wily reason or another, unavailable to fill in for De Lima, Trillanes has stepped up to the plate.

Trillanes gave a privilege speech yesterday that factchecked the testimony given to the Senate in the past two weeks by Matobato. And Trillanes found—contrary to what many have concluded on their own, without consulting Trillanes, Drilon or De Lima—that the self-confessed killer of up to 50 persons was mostly telling the truth.

That “mostly” is there because Trillanes will accept some minor problems with Matobato’s testimony. According to the senator, any inconsistencies in the witness’ account are understandable given a) his lack of education b) his inability to properly communicate in Tagalog (or, heaven forbid, in De Lima’s English) and c) his terribly advanced age of 57.

Trillanes then declared that he was filing a motion to investigate Duterte for his involvement in the killing in Davao City

when the current president was still mayor, on the basis of Matobato’s testimony. It was—in Trillanes’ mind, anyway—the only way to proceed for the Senate.

Sure, it was. After all, one the major gripes about Matobato’s tale of 1,000 death squad killings

Trillanes said, ‘I’m not here to oust anyone.’ Then he remembered who he was and added: ‘Not yet.’ was that De Lima wanted the Senate to investigate extrajudicial executions that have taken place since Duterte became president— not what he did when he was still mayor.

And so, Trillanes officially declared the shift in the DDS’

(for Drilon, De Lima and Sonny) strategy: If we can’t bring him down for what he did now that he’s president, let’s get him for what he did before that.

The beauty of it all—again, in the steel-trap mind of Trillanes —is that none of Matobato’s testimony will be wasted. The Senate will just use the same witness and perhaps the other witnesses lined up originally by De Lima, as well.

For someone who unquestionably leads the Senate in the number of consultants hired, Trillanes’ plan of recycling Matobato is simply out of character.

The senator is just chock-full of surprises. *** But I started this column by calling Trillanes a mercenary.

And I believe that, unlike when he displayed a new-found sense of frugality in the case of Matobato’s testimony, Trillanes is not about to shed his reputation as a gun for hire.

As Trillanes told Senator Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday, “I’m not here to oust anyone.”

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ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.thestandard. com.ph; e-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

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Opinion

All I can say is that these antiWHEN President Rodrigo Duterte appointed ABS-CBN mining advocates are hypocrites. heiress Gina Lopez, a self-pro- Even members of the clergy railclaimed environmentalist and ing against mining are hypoconfirmed anti-mining advocate, crites. Where do they think the as secretary of the Department goblets they use during mass of Environment and Natural Re- come from?

If Lopez is truly after irresponsources, he obviously thought that he would have the support of sible mining and for the protection one of the two giant radio and tel- of the environment, she should go evision networks of the country. after all the local miners at Mount In a way, it was a masterstroke Diwalwal in Compostela Valley.

There, gold nuggets are found and on the part of Duterte.

But, Santa Banana, at what traded in Malaysia and Singapore price? In the first 100 days of the by Chinese businessmen from Duterte administration, Lopez Cebu and Davao.

By law, the gold should go to has done nothing but threaten the mining industry. She has al- the Bangko Sentral, but instead ready suspended at least 10 min- the rich financiers and traders are ing firms, mostly in Zambales in cahoots with local government province, for allegedly violating officials.

Having been a Davao City rules and regulations protecting mayor for the longest time, Presithe environment.

The DENR is scheduled to come dent Duterte should know what’s out with the results of its audit to- happening to all the gold that’s day. About a dozen more firms are mined at Mount Diwalwal. He expected to be suspended in the should ask why Lopez is not lifting a finger about this. name of “responsible mining.” *** My gulay, at the rate this selfPresident Duterte is right. We, proclaimed environmentalist, coming from an oligarchic fam- the Filipino people, did not elect ily embedded in government, is a statesman or somebody well going, the $360-billion Philip- versed with protocol. We elected pine mining industry is now be- a mayor of Davao City to lead us coming an endangered species. for the next six years in the name Its future under the Duterte ad- of change, promising peace and order, and vowing to end crimiministration is bleak. nality, corrupRead the tion and illefull-page adgal drugs. vertisement And, Santa of the ChamBanana, that’s ber of Mines Environment what the Presof the Philipident is actupines yesterally doing! day. Indeed, Secretary Gina If Du30 in the name Lopez should uses expleof respontives to emsible min- look into what phasize what ing, Lopez he says or has not only happens at Mount does, we just become the Diwalwal in have to bear elephant in with him. the room but Compostela Valley.

His environa bull in the ment before china shop. he became a All she has lawyer, prosbeen doing during the first 100 days of the ecutor and mayor was the enviDuterte administration is finding ronment of his Cebuano roots where cursing and obscene lanfault with the mining industry.

I’d like to ask Ms. Lopez: How guage are normal.

Even in this column, when I could there be a fair and objective audit of the industry in the name try to emphasize something, I of “responsible mining” when use “Santa Banana”—nowhere she has named a known anti- in the Vatican roll of saints—and mining civil society organization “my gulay.”

All the curses used by Presicalled the Alyansa Tigil Mina to be called experts? My gulay, dent Duterte are meaningless. “experts” in the field of mining They are just expressions. *** when by its very name, the group I have been asked: What do I is an advocate against mining think will happen to Senator Leilike Lopez herself!

It became even worse when la de Lima, given all the accusaLopez placed this group at the tions against her? Convicts and forefront of the audit process. It others point to her as profiting threatened and even harassed from the illegal drug trade.

I say the truth is somewhere mining firms big and small alike.

The President should realize beneath all these accusations.

Certainly Justice Secretary Vithat Lopez is making a sunset industry out of mining. How can taliano Aguirre will file charges the economy flourish? Foreign against De Lima. It is better that investors in the mining indus- these matters we now hear in Contry come to provide jobs to poor gress are tackled by courts of law and not grandstanding politicians. communities in the rural areas.

In another hearing in ConBefore Lopez, the industry was bullish. There were expecta- gress, Edgar Matobato claims tions of investments between $20 to be part of the Davao Death billion and $30 billion in the local Squad. This man only finished economy over the next five to 10 Grade One—how can we expect him to answer the questions of years. Not anymore.

The Chamber of Mines of the Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Philippines, composed of big re- who is a lawyer?

Now, Senator Antonio Trillanes sponsible miners, has reiterated its concern over the integrity of the claims he has proof that what Maaudit due to the questionable role tobato said about the DDS killings of confirmed anti-mining CSOs. are true. I say this is another atThis taints the results of the audit. tempt at grandstanding.

I wish for a Revolutionary I don’t know why Lopez is so against mining when she wears Government if only to get rid all that jewelry, all of which came of Congress. But, God forbid, at times, wishes come true. from mining.

Trillanes...

From A4 tration, brokering surreptitious, unauthorized deals as “backchannel negotiator” with China, playing a co-starring role with Cayetano and now Senate President Koko Pimentel in the longest running Senate investigation ever which demolished the presidential chances of Vice President Jejomar Binay and finally taking solo billing in the lastminute attempt to destroy thencandidate Duterte with tales of hundreds of millions in presumably tainted money stashed in banks on the week before the May 9 elections.

Now, of course, Trillanes has

found his new calling as Matobato’s chief handler and protector, after merely playing a supporting role to De Lima. The only question that remains is, who’s paying for Trillanes’ services now?

I guess the the answer to that question may come soon. For all of De Lima’s weaknesses, after all, I think she was still a harder target to bring down than Trillanes.

Frankly, I can’t wait to see that perpetual smug smirk wiped off the face of Trillanes. And I hope the day comes soon when he is again humiliated and led out by the waistband of his pants, just like he was after he destroyed the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

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The wastefulness of vengeance

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

A bleak future for mining

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO AS A general rule, people do not think too highly of lex talionis…the law of the talion: the “eye for an eye” rule. It is thought to be the institutionalization of ruthlessness. It is actually the opposite. It was laid down as a rule of benevolence, a bar to the wastefulness and extravagance of vengeance. Up to a few years ago, peace pacts bound members of indigenous communities, but when these were breached, the cost in human life could be truly wasteful. A death in the family was reason enough to slay 10 or even more members of the offender’s family. Lex talionis laid down the rule of strict correspondence: one life for every life taken, and not any more; one tooth for a lost tooth, and not a limb, much less a life!

Shortly after the Edsa Revolution, the nation rode on the

crest of a wave of euphoria— change, it was believed rather naively, had finally come, after the “dark years” of Martial Law. But the government that took power in the name of “people power” was actually seething with vengeance. It did not slit throats nor pay mercenaries to gun down its foes a la Sopranos, but it destroyed many lives and ruined many a fortune. Of course, some kind of “cardboard indictment” was also used.

The victims of the purge were called “cronies” and “loyalists” at that time—and that entitled the freshly minted Presidential Commission on Good Government to sequester acres of land, homes, shares of stock and bank deposits. In very many cases, it was never proved that all that was sequestered was in fact “ill-gotten”—another label of opprobrium and of shame. But when most of what you own is sequestered because you wear the scarlet letter of a “crony,” you are, for all intents and purposes ruined. You just hit rockbottom!

Throughout the country there

were fabulous buildings and extravagant edifices—all supposedly constructed on orders of Madame Imelda Marcos, known for her expensive taste!

Many of these were sealed off by the PCGG—and listed as sequestered. In an evident show of how wasteful vengeance can be, and how mindless really, no matter the cunning and calculation that can sometimes go into it, none of these sequestered blocks and parcels of real estate ever benefited the people in whose behalf they were taken away from their owners. They were rather left to fall into disrepair, a victim of the elements and a testament to the pointlessness of vengeance!

The Bagong Lipunan Lodges are a good example. On either end of the winding and scenic viaduct along Patapat—that spans the distance between northern Cagayan and the northern arc of Ilocos Norte—was a beautiful Bagong Lipunan Lodge, each with a swimming pool. Their ruins remain to this day—a stark reminder of how one can be so unrighteous when one is so

convinced of one’s righteousness and the irremediable sinfulness of one’s opponents. And this is true of so much that was sequestered in the name of the glorious “people’s revolution.”

But it was the same despised Imelda who gave us the Cultural Center, the Philippine International Convention Center, the Folk Arts Theater and other structures of which we remain rightfully proud today, even if we often lack the cleverness to give them the tending and the care they need to remain things of beauty. What there is is a begrudging acceptance that it is good that we have them—accompanied by an implacable dislike for her who caused them all to be!

Vengeance gets us nowhere, and what it seems to achieve is always paid for at so high a price that, in the end, if we have the good sense born of humility, we should awaken to the realization that it is utterly pointless, fruitless and just stupid! rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

Unfair criticism vs Andanar and the PCO HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA PRESIDENTIAL Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar was in the spotlight recently.

Anti-administration critics scored the PCO for the conflicting statements certain Palace officials gave to the media regarding President Rodrigo Duterte’s participation at the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Laos. Here, Duterte was supposed to sit down among the big names attending the summit.

After President Duterte declared a state of lawlessness in Davao City in response to the bombing incident there, several Palace officials gave the media conflicting interpretations of what the President had in mind when he made that announcement. One high-profile and controversial Palace legal adviser even tried to second-guess the President and publicly suggested that authoritarian times under a good leader can’t be so bad. As expected, critics blamed Andanar and the PCO for the disorganized dissemination of information from Palace officials.

The most recent controversy involves the Official Gazette, the repository of copies of all official acts and pronouncements of the national government. It is published by the PCO. Several days ago, the Facebook page of the Official Gazette came out with a historical posting about the 99th birth anniversary of ex-President Ferdinand Marcos. The post stated that Marcos stepped down from power to avoid bloodshed during the so-

Celebrating...

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awardee worked hard to reverse the decline of piña cloth production in the country. As the announcement of her award acknowledges, Ms. Tesoro continues to play a critical role as an advocate of traditional Philippine textiles by focusing now on reviving the production of organic Philippine cotton. In addition, she has brought Filipiniana designs to our contemporary consciousness and has brought the beauty of our traditional wear to the attention of the world.

Finally, two public servants will be recognized in today’s ceremony. Undersecretary Panadero and Justice Azcuna are both colleagues and personal friends; they are both personal heroes. I am thrilled that the University is conferring them two of our most prestigious awards.

For the government service award, the Ateneo de Manila chose Panadero of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

A veteran public servant, Undersecretary Panadero has worked for government for more than 35 years and has served six presidents from Corazon C. Aquino to Rodrigo Duterte. He has worked under 11 local government department secretaries, performing his

called Edsa Revolution in 1986.

Netizens from the anti-Marcos camps, particularly the intolerant, judgmental extremists from ex-President Benigno Aquino III’s so-called “yellow army,” denounced the posting as an example of “historical revisionism” for the flimsy reason that they did not agree with it.

In appeasement, the PCO replaced the posting with entries about Marcos’s political career—his rise from congressman in 1949 to president in 1965.

Apparently because the amended posting was silent about the martial law period during the Marcos administration, anti-Marcos netizens denounced the amended posting and blamed the PCO. Although Andanar refused to allow further alterations, the PCO still issued an apology.

The apology notwithstanding, the “yellow army” partisans continued bashing Andanar and the PCO, and demanded that the writer of the posting resign from his job after the partisans discovered that the writer used to be a staff assistant of ex-Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.

Critics also chastized Andanar for his supposed inability to compel other Palace officials to refrain from making misleading and conflicting statements to the media.

During the Senate hearing on the proposed PCO budget for 2017, Senator Franklin Drilon gave unsolicited advice to Andanar. Drilon suggested that henceforth, only the presidential spokesman should speak for and on behalf of President Duterte, and that Andanar should enter the picture only when the presidential spokesman is not around.

Nobody else should speak for the President, Drilon declared.

Unfazed, Andanar informed Drilon that during the admin-

istration of President Benigno Aquino III, the communications team of President Aquino used and abused the Official Gazette by posting an endless array of the campaign activities and purported accomplishments of the proAquino Liberal Party (LP) designed to improve the campaign chances of LP presidential bet Mar Roxas. Andanar’s statement was quite a telling and unsettling remark, considering that Drilon was a staunch ally of Aquino, and Drilon was and remains a top official of Aquino’s LP. To avoid complications, Drilon dismissed the LP’s abusive behavior, said the past is the past, and urged that the PCO should simply return to the original mandate of the Official Gazette, which is to publish official acts of the national government.

In time, Andanar acknowledged that the performance of the PCO could use some improvement, and asked the public for a little understanding since he has been on the job for only less than 90 days.

The criticism from the antiMarcos netizens and Aquino’s “yellow army” partisans eventually simmered, due mainly to the continuing drugs controversy haunting Senator Leila de Lima.

That notwithstanding, there is a need to set the record straight.

Unlike during the recent Aquino regime, the PCO is currently managed by Andanar, a young, professional broadcaster with no past political ties with the incumbent president. That’s an improvement from the old practice of getting a known political ally as the presidential spokesman.

Moreover, since Andanar is from the media industry, Andanar has had no problem in dealing with the mainstream news media.

The problem lies not in Andanar but in President Duterte’s

people who assume that they know the mind of the President simply because they are close to him. Many of them have no actual experience in dealing with the news media and think that a statement to the press is merely an opportunity to promote themselves to the general public.

Worse, these people do not even bother to coordinate with either the presidential spokesman, or Andanar. As a result, contradictory statements, all purporting to embody the President’s views and policies, reach the media.

Sure, President Duterte can be unpredictable and ambivalent, and at times even impulsive.

That fact, however, does not entitle the President’s opinionated and publicity-seeking cabinet secretaries to speak to the press on the President’s behalf.

Andanar cannot be expected to reprimand or muzzle cabinet secretaries who think their jobs include speaking for the President. Since Andanar holds the rank of a cabinet secretary, he knows that it is not in his place to give directives to his colleagues in the cabinet.

The bottom line is that cabinet secretaries who speak to the media should confine themselves to matters within their actual knowledge and concern, and refrain from hogging the spotlight and pretending to speak for the main man.

Traditionally, the media give the president a 100-day “honeymoon” within which he is expected to acquaint himself with his new job as the nation’s helmsman. During this period, the media are not too critical of the president. If the president is given that accommodation, the PCO head is entitled to one, too.

After all, criticism against the PCO chief is akin to criticism of the president.

duties with the utmost excellence and unquestionable integrity.

Within the executive branch and the good governance community of practice, he is well known as an advocate of inclusive local governance, promoting gender equality, sustainable development, and the welfare of children, the elderly, indigenous peoples, and persons with disability.

In recognizing Panadero, the Ateneo de Manila University is conscious that there are other several senior government officials like him—of the same caliber, motivated solely by commitment to public interest, and absolutely incorruptible. The undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, and directors form the management backbone of any administration. Whether political or career, no government would be able to deliver its mandate without this core of senior officials. Undersecretary Panadero represents the best and most senior of them and the government award conferred upon him should also be seen as recognition of the work of such past and present senior officials.

Finally, Adolf Azcuna will be conferred the highest university recognition, the Lux-in-Domino award reserved for the alumni of the Ateneo de Manila. I know Justice Azcuna well. I am familiar

with his jurisprudence as Supreme Court Justice, and have seen him in action as an influential advocate of human rights and international humanitarian law. I currently work with him at the Philippine Judicial Academy, which he leads as Chancellor.

Justice Azcuna represents the ideals of the Ateneo de Manila in his service for the country—as an official of the Corazon Aquino administration, as a Supreme Court associate justice, in his work in the Philippine Judicial Academy, and as a commissioner of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).

Among human rights advocates, we admire Azcuna most for his relentless work towards the protection of human rights as one of the drafters of the 1987 Constitution where he was responsible for expanding the rule-making power of the Supreme Court to include the protection of constitutional rights.

But most of all, we recognize our awardee for his strong advocacy of the writ of amparo, which has been described the “greatest legal weapon to protect the constitutional rights of the people.”

When former Chief Justice Reynato Puno officially announced in 2007 the promulgation of the writ of amparo, a brainchild of our awardee, he did not exaggerate when he said: “Today, the Su-

preme Court promulgated the rule that will place the constitutional right to life, liberty and security above violation and threats of violation. This rule will provide the victims of extralegal killings and enforced disappearances the protection they need and the promise of vindication for their rights . . . The sovereign Filipino people should be assured that if their right to life and liberty is threatened or violated, they will find vindication in our courts of justice.”

These are not happy times for the Philippines. Every day, we hear disturbing news of deaths in many poor neighborhoods. The global news coverage of the Philippines is massive and uniformly negative.

In these times, it is important to remember that we are not defined by our President’s language or the massacre of the poor. Today, in our small hill of Loyola, we will do that as we celebrate excellence and service to the nation by four great Filipinos and a wonderful organization. In conferring these awards, the Ateneo de Manila University hopes to inspire our students and others to themselves excel and serve so that we may transform this country to be a beacon of human rights, peace, and justice.

Facebook: tonylavs5 or Dean Tony La Viña Twitter: tonylavs

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

December traffic caused

by Christmas, not studes

By Joel Zurbano

T

HE usually horrendous traffic during the Christmas season is mainly due to the season and not schools so the authorities should not make the education of students suffer because of situations not of their making, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said on Monday.

“What I have noticed as a teacher myself, we also notice that the buildup of Christmas traffic accelerates even during the Christmas break for the children,” she said, noting

that an early Christmas break will likely not alleviate traffic congestion.

“Does it happen during school season or does it still happen even after classes are

already closed? Christmas is what Christmas is,” she said, adding that Christmas season traffic is really bad up to New Year’s Eve, long after the start of students’ Christmas break.

Briones was reacting to a proposal by Senator Grace Poe that students be given an early Christmas break this year to help ease traffic during the holiday rush.

During the Senate hearing on the DepEd’s proposed 2017 budget of P566 billion, Poe asked Briones if an early Christmas break or extended classes during the summer is

feasible even though the academic calendar has already been set.

But Briones said changing the school calendar might result in classes being extended and running into Holy Week and affecting summer classes.

The education chief also explained the challenges of holding classes during summer since classrooms were not built for the summer heat.

“It would affect [the students’] learning capacity. Summer is also a time for summer diseases. We have to consider

all of these in a school calendar, which applies for the country,” Briones said.

“It is not only schoolchildren who add to the traffic, it’s really Christmas itself which accelerates [traffic]. There are no more students [in schools] and you still have traffic,” she added.

Briones, however, said she appreciated Poe’s effort to find a solution to the country’s traffic woes without resorting to emergency powers, adding that the DepEd will decide on the proposal by the first week of October.

US sends soldiers to Cebu

Raps readied vs Honasan THE Ombudsman has indicted Senator Gregorio Honasan for graft charges for alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund.

The raps stemmed from Honasan endorsement of a non-government organization to benefit from his P29.1-million pork barrel fund without undergoing the required procurement process in 2012.

He supposedly endorsed the Focus Development Goals Foundation Inc. for small and medium enterprises and livelihood projects of Muslim Filipinos in Metro Manila and Zambales but the Ombudsman said the May 30, 2012 check and disbursement vouchers were prepared even before the foundation was qualified to undertake the project on June 4, 2012.

Included in the charge sheet were political affairs and project coordinator chief Michael Benjamin, and National Commission on Muslims Filipinos executives Mehol Sadain, secretary; Fedelina Aldanese, chief accountant; Galay Makalinggan, director III; Sania Busran, chief; Aurora Aragon-Mabang, acting chief; Olga Galido, cashier; Focus officers Giovanni Manuel Gaerlan and Salvador Gaerlan.

Oil prices hiked P0.25

By Florante S. Solmerin DESPITE the anti-American rhetoric from President Rodrigo Duterte, the United States Air Force sent two C-130 Hercules aircraft and some 100 servicemen as part of the continuing defense cooperation between the two countries.

The US Embassy said in a statement it was the third time for the US Pacific Command dispatch an air contingent to the Philippines after the joint announcement of former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Defense Secretary Ash Carter in April.

The public affairs office of the Pacific Air Forces said the aircraft and personnel came from the 374th Air Wing at Yokota Air Base in Japan and the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.

They were sent to MactanBenito Ebuen Air Base in LapuLapu City, Cebu to hold training and integration session over two weeks with units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“The purpose of the Air Contingent is to promote increased interoperability between US and Filipino forces, and to further enhance security cooperation between the allies,” it said.

The embassy said the first iteration of the Air Contingent was held at Clark Air Base in Pampanga last April and consisted of A-10C Thunderbolt II and HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrafts some 200 airmen from different Pacaf units.

The second iteration occurred on June 15 with EA-18G Growlers and Navy personnel.

Aside from the Air Contingent, Philippine and US forces will also hold amphibious landing exercises set from October 4 to 12 in Luzon.

Also on Monday, the US Embassy said the US may take back the $6.7-million (P322-million) aid it pledged to the Philippines for law enforcement if the two countries fail to agree on how it will be used.

IN BRIEF

THE country’s oil firms raised pump prices by as much as P0.25 per liter effective Tuesday to reflect the movement of prices at the world oil market.

The oil firms raised gasoline prices by P0.25 per liter, diesel

by P0.25 per liter and kerosene

by P0.20 per liter, purportedly to reflect movements in the international oil market.

Other oil firms that raised prices includes PTT Philippines, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, among others.

The market has been eagerly awaiting the result of talks between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-Opec member countries for a possible production freeze in light of the global oil oversupply. Alena Mae S. Flores

COMMUTER BLUES. A Malabon City rescuer assists an injured passengers as he alights from a bus that collided with another bus along McArthur Highway in Barangay Potrero on Monday. Andrew Rabulan

No more opening of balikbayan boxes

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs on Monday said that it will no longer allow its personnel to open and physically inspect balikbayan boxes, and asked the public to report any customs personnel who would open the balikbayan boxes without an alert order.

The agency said the policy has been in practice since the release of Customs Memorandum Order 27-2015, which was signed last September 2015.

“This CMO states that balikbayan boxes of OFWs shall not be subjected to random or arbitrary physical inspection, and instead shall only undergo mandatory x-ray scanning,” the BOC said.

Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, however, reminded the public not to abuse the privilege provided to OFWs because balikbayan boxes containing questionable items would be confiscated.

He said proper procedures are put in place, such as in cases of shipments tagged “suspect” after x-ray scanner, the inspector shall recommend the issuance of an alert order.

“The boxes shall then be subjected to 100 percent physical examination at an authorized examination area to be conducted by a Customs Examiner in the presence of the apprehending officers, freight forwarder consolidator, representatives of the Overseas Workers Welfare Association or a designated officer

of an OFW Association.

He said only last August this, the bureau has intercepted highcaliber firearms that were illegally shipped to the country from the United States through a balikbayan box.

Faeldon urged customs personnel to let balikbayan boxes released since it is the privilege of OFWs but warned possible offenders of criminal charges.

Faeldon said they are now finalizing the implementing rules and regulations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act to fully implement new rules on tax exemptions for balikbayan boxes.

Under the CMTA, the tax exemption ceiling for balikbayan boxes was increased from P10,000 to P150,000—provided,

that balikbayan boxes shall only contain personal and household effects and not in commercial quantities, and that Overseas Filipino Workers can only avail of this privilege up to three times in a calendar year.

For balikbayan box-related complaints and concerns, the public may forward them to the Bureau’s Customer Assistance and Response Services at telephone number (02)705-6000, email address boc.cares@customs.gov.ph, Twitter account @ CustomsPH, and www.facebook. com/BOC.Cares.

Faeldon issued the statement in connection with the filing of Senate Bill 1168 by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, which institutes the Expanded Balikbayan Program.

Smoke makes plane return THE quick thinking pilots of a Philippine Airlines f light bound for Haneda, Japan saved the lives of 222 passengers and 13 crew when they decided to return to Manila after a smoke in the cabin was detected shortly after lifting off Monday morning.

The pilots, identified only as Capt. E. De Guzman Jr. and co-pilot First Officer A. Ugalino, decided to immediately execute emergency landing protocols at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport due to smoke in the cabin, minutes after the PR422 f light plane took off at 9:32 a.m.

The Manila International Airport Authority said the plane, an Airbus A340-300 with registry number RP-C3435, safely landed around 9:52 a.m. at the Naia runway 24 where it was met and escorted by fire trucks and rescue personnel.

In a statement, PAL spokesperson and External Communications head Ma. Cielo Villaluna said the plane had to undergo operational assessment to determine the technical concerns that led to its return to the Manila airport.

“In the meantime, all passengers will be provided meals and will be given a replacement f light departing Manila at 1:30 p.m. today. The assigned aircraft will be an A330-300,” said Villaluna.

The incident happened a few months after a PAL flight bound for London made an emergency landing at the Naia shortly after fire and smoke were detected. Joel Zurbano

PAGEANT WINNER. Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa congratulates Inspector

Christopher Dulagan, winner of the 2016 Misters of Filipinas, Man of the World pageant last Sept. 18 at Resorts World Manila. PNA

2 MMDA aides fired METRO Manila Development Authority officer-in-charge Thomas Orbos on Monday ordered the immediate relief of two constables of the agency’s Traffic Discipline Office for corrupt practices.

Traffic constable Victor D’Argandonia and traffic auxiliary Ringo Gozon are now facing summary dismissal from the service after Orbos, himself, caught the two enforcers committing administrative infractions near SM Centerpoint in Quezon City last Saturday.

After verification, it was found out that the two enforcers were not on official duty as D’Argandonia is designated as a night shift custodian and therefore not allowed to apprehend traffic violators, while Gozon’s shift is from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. only. Joel E. Zurbano

Airport warns vs tablet THE CIVIL Aviation Authority of the Philippines has urged airline operators, officials of the Manila International Airport Authority and other airport managers nationwide to prohibit the use and battery charging of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to ensure the safety of passengers.

CAAP acting director Jim Sydiongco made the advisory Monday following the announcement of Samsung Electronics Company Ltd. issued a recall order on all Galaxy Note 7 devices.

“In light of the official announcement by Samsung to recall and voluntarily replace all Galaxy Note 7 devices already sold to the public due to reported incidents of exploding and catching fire, the CAAP strongly encourages all operators to advise passengers not to turn on or charge these devices while inside the airport premises and/or on board the aircraft,” Sydiongco said in a memorandum.

“Moreover, all are enjoined to require passengers not to stow these devices in any checked baggage, but instead carry these devices with them where an incident can be immediately mitigated,” the memorandum stated. Joel Zurbano

Sports

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

This file photo taken on April 7, 2016 shows honorary starter US golfer Arnold Palmer after he arrived to begin Round 1 of the 80th Masters Golf Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Beloved golf great Arnold Palmer died at 87 on Sept. 25, 2016. AFP

Shanghai turns back Mighty Sports for cage crown MIGHTY Sports Apparel Philippines fell short of another international title, suffering a heartbreaking 78-77 loss to the Shanghai Sharks in the final of the 2016 Merlion Cup basketball tournament Sunday in Singapore.

Three free throws by the Sharks’ top gunner, former NBA player Jimmer Fredette, with no time remaining gave the Chinese squad the Merlion Cup championship. Fredette, who was fouled by Alford Thornton in that play, finished with 41 points.

It was a sorry loss for Mighty Sports, which was bidding for back-to-back international titles after winning the William Jones Cup in Taiwan last July.

Meanwhile, the Mighty Sports organization, in a statement, thanked the Philippine Basketball Association, and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and GlobalPort Batang Pier ballclubs for their support.

“We thank the PBA, and Messrs. Terry Que and Raymund Yu of Rain or Shine, and Rep. Mikee Romero of GlobalPort for their generosity and understanding in allowing Joseph Yeo of the Batang Pier to play in the 2016 Merlion Cup and the Elasto Painters for allowing Jeric Teng to play in the 2016 William Jones Cup,” Mighty Sports said.

“Their commitment to Philippine basketball helped us bring glory to the country by winning the Jones Cup and finishing second in the Merlion Cup,” the organization added.

The country’s representative to the tournament revived after 20 years led by as many as 14 points early in the fourth quarter only to see its lead disappear on Fredette’s hot shooting.

A three-pointer by Shanghai’s Yabusele Gurschon at the 3:49 mark tied the game at 73.

Ravena answered back with a completed four-point play to put the Philippine side up but the Sharks cut the lead to two with 36 ticks left.

A Mighty Sports turnover with 17 seconds to go gave the Sharks a final shot at winning the game and the title. Fredette broke free and heaved a threepointer but was fouled by Alford Thornton as time expired.

Salud: Tapales vs Villanueva is okay REX “Wakee” Salud, who handles WBO bantamweight champion Marlon “The Nightmare” Tapales, said fighting WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion King Arthur Villanueva “is no problem.”

Tapales, who won the title with a sensational 11thround knockout victory over Thai champion Pungluang Sor Singyu in Thailand, told Manila Standard that Tapales is obliged to defend his title against Villanueva.

Tapales is already training for his Dec. 30 title defense against Japan’s Takuma Inoue.

Villanueva is coming off a spectacular second-round knockout of Mexico’s Juan Jimenez at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California last Sunday, Manila Time.

“The fight against Villanueva is mandatory so why not? It’s no problem,” said Salud. “But we need to win first in Japan.”

ALA Promotions needs to stage the title fight and make Tapales “a good offer,” according to Salud.

Philboxing’s Dong Secuya, who spoke to ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer in Los Angeles, quoted Aldeguer as saying, “If that happens, we will have no choice but fight him (Tapales).”

However, Aldeguer added he was “looking at the possibility of having Arthur fight for a title in another organization but if a (WBO) mandatory fight will happen against Tapales, we will be forced to do it. It’s happening anyway in boxing. Look at the Barrera-Morales wars which became classics.” Ronnie Nathanielsz

Palmer dies; His skill, charisma redefined golf

W

ASHINGTON—Arnold Palmer, the golf great whose charisma and common touch drew a legion of fans known as “Arnie’s Army” and propelled the game into the mainstream, died Sunday at the age of 87.

Palmer’s longtime assistant Doc Griffin confirmed the player known as “The King” had died at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital.

No cause of death was immediately given, although the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported he had undergone cardiac tests.

“We just lost one of the incredible people in the game of golf and in all of sports,” 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus said.

“He has always been a fighter and he never gave up on anything.

He didn’t give up even now. Maybe his body did, but I know Arnold’s will and spirit did not.”

Palmer captured seven major tournaments during his illustrious career, taking The Masters four times (in 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964), the British Open twice (in 1961 and 1962) and the US Open once (in 1960).

His go-for-broke style, raw athleticism and unorthodox swing enthralled fans, and he became one of golf’s first television superstars, helping make the sport accessible to a much wider audience.

His rise—along with that of Nicklaus and Gary Player—set the stage for the sport’s huge broadcast rights fees and prize money riches, which were later enhanced by the success of Tiger Woods.

“Thanks Arnold for your friendship, counsel and a lot of laughs,” Woods said on Twitter.

“It’s hard to imagine golf without you or anyone more important to the game than the King.”

Palmer looked frail when he joined fellow icons Player and Nicklaus for the ceremonial first tee shot at the Masters in April.

For the first time in 10 years, he didn’t swing a club, instead sitting in a chair to watch the spectacle.

‘Made golf sexy’ Although Palmer’s presence around the game had become less

regular in recent years, today’s young stars were aware of the iconic player’s impact.

“Let’s be honest, it’s kind of a nerdy sport,” Australia’s Jason Day said this year. “Arnold Palmer made golf sexy.”

Palmer, born September 10, 1929, was the son of the club professional and greens superintendent at Latrobe Country Club. Palmer started caddying at 11 and went on to work almost every job at the club.

Fans identified with his bluecollar background, and he never forgot his roots even as he piloted his own jet to charity functions and business meetings and became a friend of presidents and corporate big-wigs.

“Palmer went to bed at night with charisma. And the next

Elorde’s grandsons crush Indonesians

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

CEREMONIAL SERVE. Mighty Sports Apparel president John Sy made the ceremonial serve to start the first

Mighty Sports Beach Volleyball Challenge over the weekend at the Cantada Sports Center in Taguig City. Top collegiate teams such as La Salle, Far Eastern University, Adamson and University of the Philippines make up the 21 participants in the women’s division, while Navy and Air Force led the 15 men’s team in the tournament organized by Cantada Sports in coordination with the Philippine Volleyball Federation.

TWO grandsons of the late great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde handily beat their Indonesian opponents in Manila Rotary Club’s “Boxing Kontra Droga” fight card at Café Lupe along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City last Saturday.

World Boxing Organization Oriental lightweight champion Juan Martin “Bai” Elorde overwhelmed 32-yearold southpaw Boido Simanjutak of Indonesia via a 10-round unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the fight for the young Elorde.

Silvestre Abainza scored it 9892. British judge Robert Bridges also had it 98-92 and Greg Ortega had a 97-93 score.

Boido dropped to 23 wins

against 41 losses and two draws with nine knockouts.

It was the Indonesian’s 18th loss in his last 19 fights, while “Bai” Elorde improved to 21-1-1 with eight knockouts.

WBO Asia Pacific junior featherweight champion Juan Miguel “The Boss” Elorde also won handily over the other Indonesian Junior Bajawa, whose record fell to 14-10 with seven knockouts. The 29-year-old Elorde improved his record to 22-1 with 11 knockouts.

In an action-packed battle for the vacant Philippine bantamweight title, 27-year-old Glen “Lover Boy” Suminguit won by a third-round knockout over Alvin Bais who dropped to 15-7-1 with four knockouts, while the new champion improved to 19-2 with 10 knockouts.

Romero bats for creation of National Coordinating Council PARTY-LIST Rep. Mikee Romero (1Pacman) has proposed for the creation of National Coordinating Council, which will look into various sports programs, especially grassroots development.

The NCC, Romero said, could be the answer the country’s grassroots problems since no one is taking charge of the program, leaving hundreds of young and talented athletes untapped.

“Since we are still waiting for

the establishment of the Department of Sports, we have to form the NCC first to address the grassroots development problems in the country,” said Romero. “We have to prepare hard for the Tokyo Games in 2020.”

Romero has already filed a bill that seeks to create a Department of Sport, whose main task is to lead the implementation of policies on the promotion and development of sports and health fit-

ness programs in the country.

The House Bill No. 287, according to Romero, will address various issues and hurdle challenges that confront Philippine sports.

But since it will take time to make the bill into law, Romero stressed that it is paramount that various leaders in government and private institutions should unite and find solutions to the problems that left Philippine sports in a very bad state.

The Philippines has yet to win

an Olympic gold since the country took part in the quadrennial tournament in the 1924 Paris Games, although weightlifter Hidilin Diaz brought home a silver medal in the recent Rio Games.

Even in the regional meet—the SEA Games—the country has already been overtaken by Singapore and Vietnam.

“Hindi coordinated ang Philippine Sports Commission and Department of Education when

Velez, 2 others dominate Pikit netfest

DAVAO’S John David Velez and Danna Abad and Tenielle Madis of Mlang stamped their class and came away with a pair of victories each in the Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis tournament Pikit leg at the Pikit Tennis Club in North Cotabato last Sunday.

morning he woke up with more,” legendary Sam Snead once said.

Palmer attended Wake Forest University on a golf scholarship. At age 24, he won the 1954 US Amateur at the Country Club of Detroit.

Extraordinary, generous Later that year, Palmer turned pro. In a career that spanned more than six decades, he won 62 PGA Tour titles, putting him at fifth on the Tour’s all-time victory rankings.

He led the PGA Tour money list four times, and was the first player to win more than $100,000 in a season.

He played on six Ryder Cup teams and was the winning captain twice, and launched a business empire with the help of Mark McCormack, founder of pioneering sports marketing company International Management Group. AFP

Velez, No. 8 in the boys’ 16-and-under class, upended No. 6 Ronnel Aboy, 4-0, 5-4(3), in the semis then foiled unranked Ali Basser, 6-3, 6-2, to add the crown to his 6-4, 6-3 romp over Eric Comendador in the 14-U finals of the Group 4 tournament sponsored by the country’s leading pawnshop, remittance and claim center

Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger.

Abad, on the other hand, mastered Jazzele Madis, scoring a 6-3, 4-6, 10-1 triumph in the girls’ 16-U finals and fashioning out a 6-3, 6-2 victory for the 18-U plum in the four-day tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association and hosted by the local government unit of

Pikit headed by Vice Mayor Muhyryn Sultan-Casi “We thanked Pikit for its junior and grassroots tennis program which is a big boost to the sport and the province as well.

Rest assured of our continued support as we continue our search for future talents,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

it comes to grassroots program,” said Romero.

“If the stakeholders are amenable, we have to meet monthly so we can create the right formula for our athletes in various sports,” added Romero.

Romero said he has already the support of Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. but he still has to get the nod of the PSC chairman William Ramirez Jr.

LOTTO RESULTS

John David Velez (second from left) holds his trophies as he poses with fellow twin title winners Tenielle Madis (center) and Danna Abad (second from right) and Pikit Mayor Sumulong Sultan (right) and Pikit Tennis Club president Mikoy Tobias.

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Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

Rory takes PGA crown, $10M bonus WASHINGTON—-Rory McIlroy rolled in a 14-foot birdie putt at the fourth hole of a sudden death playoff to edge Ryan Moore for the USPGA Tour Championship and claim the $10 million FedExCup playoff bonus.

With the playoff prize and the $1.53 million winner’s check, four-time major champion McIlroy earned a total payday of $11.53 million at East Lake in Atlanta, Georgia.

“It was incredible,” said McIlroy, who with his victory in the Deutsche Bank Championship has won $13.81 million in the playoffs. “All I wanted to do at the start of the day was concentrate on winning the Tour Championship. Somehow I was able to tie it up in regulation and get into the playoff.”

World number two Dustin Johnson finished tied for sixth but after coming into the season finale atop the FedExCup standings would have still claimed the playoff bonus if either Moore or Kevin Chappell had won the tournament.

Chappell was eliminated at the first hole of the playoff—the par-five 18th where McIlroy missed a six-foot eagle attempt that would have won it all.

Moore drained a nine-foot birdie putt at the first playoff hole and he and McIlroy returned to play 18 again, both emerging with pars, as they did at the third playoff hole, the par-three 15th.

The fourth playoff hole took them to the par-four 16th, where McIlroy belted a 328-yard drive. Moore had made his par-saving putt when McIlroy stepped up and drained his 14-foot birdie attempt.

McIlroy’s triumph came at the same 16th hole where he surged into the playoff mix by holing out from 140 yards out in the fairway for eagle.

He followed that with a tap-in birdie at 18 to cap a 64 to join Moore, who also carded a 64, and Chappell, who shot a 66, on 12-under par 268.

Skill and luck “I knew I needed something to happen,” McIlroy said. “I said to myself on the 15th tee, if I can finish with three threes I’ll give myself a chance.

“I didn’t quite think the eagle was going to come as soon as it did,” he added. “But when something like that happens, you have to make the most of it. The holed shots from the fairway, it is part skill, but there’s an epic part of luck in there as well, and I took advantage of it ... A lot of things had to go right for me today, and they did. AFP

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with the FedExCup and TOUR Championship trophies after his victory over Ryan Moore with a birdie on the fourth extra hole during the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP

Texters, Bolts begin semifinal showdown

By Jeric Lopez

T

HE brewing sibling rivalry between TNT KaTropa and the vastly improved Meralco Bolts commences as they begin their best-of-five semifinal showdown in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. The Tropang Texters and the Bolts face off in the semifinals for the first time with Game 1 to be played today at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Drawing first blood will be

critical in a race-to-three victories playoff. Both teams are expected to slug it out hard right away.

Only beaten once thus far this conference, the Tropang Texters

Sweet title sweep for Perlas MALACCA—Nothing but a sweet sweep for Perlas Pilipinas.

A day after assuring themselves of a gold medal finish in the SEABA Women’s Championship, the country’s cagebelles reasserted their dominance one last time here late Sunday night by drubbing Thailand, 72-52, at the Bukit Serendit Indoor Stadium.

Facing a team it hasn’t beaten for a long time, head coach Patrick Aquino used it as motivation for the Filipinas, who relied on a big second quarter run to shake off a slow start and wrest the upper hand from the Thais.

The Filipinas trailed, 13-16, by the end of the first period, but a 12-2 run anchored on Afril Bernardino enabled Perlas Pilipinas to gain control of the match and led 32-22, a minute before the half time break.

Bernardino then combined forces with Shelley Gupilan in another backbreaking run, a 17-3 assault, giving the Philippines a 57-40 advantage.

Like in the previous game, Allana Lim led the Filipinas’ production with 15 points and four rebounds, while Bernardino had another double-double output of 14 points and 11 boards.

Chered on by a good-sized Filipino crowd, who took advantage to spend their Sunday supporting the national squad, Perlas Pilipinas made sure it won’t let its kababayan down.

“It feels good to receive such a warm welcome from our fellow Filipinos based here. They rally made an effort to come out here and support us. We want to reward them with a win,” said Aquino.

have consistently been playing at a very high level.

They will be favored coming in but TNT coach Jong Uichico still urged his team to keep trying to improve so that they can sustain their early success.

“We’re now in the semis and if we’re going to win, we need to be able to defend consistently,” said Uichico.

For the second straight conference Meralco has reached the final four. This time around, Bolts coach Norman Black is looking forward to his team’s more ma-

RIVERA IS TAIWAN GYMKHANA PRIX CHAMP. Milo Rivera

emerged as champion of the 2016 Taiwan Auto Gymkhana Prix in TaiChung, Taiwan. Rivera then joined forces with veteran Carlos Anton to capture the Team Award for Team Philippines. A former karting champion, reigning three-time National Slalom king and FIA Young Driver Ambassador, Rivera grabbed the overall best time in the qualifying run, while Anton placed fourth overall, sealing the Final Four spot against Japan and Indonesia drivers. Rivera started slalom racing at the age of 12 and is now the top driver in the Phoenix National Series of RACE Motorsports Club for the past years. Anton was likewise is a National Slalom Champion.

Tamaraw faces suspension SHOOTING guard Ron Dennison is facing a one-game suspension and could miss defending champion Far Eastern University’s game with University of Santo Tomas this Saturday.

He was penalized with a disqualifying foul during their game with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, who the Tamaraws beat, 51-49, last Sunday.

University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ basketball commissioner Rebo Saguisag is still reviewing videos of the incident.

Dennison was thrown out with 2:48 left in the game for an alleged intentional hit on Paul Desiderio.

Coach Nash Racela has asked Saguisag for a review of the incident, claiming that Dennison

should not have been ejected and that Desiderio allegedly flopped.

FEU has 48 hours to make a formal appeal.

“I will review the tape more so if the parties avail of the remedies, if they can put it in writing, supply it with a spliced tape, we will have to address those issues. But even without that, we will review it,” said Saguisag.

During the game, Monbert Arong hit the pivotal basket for the Tams, and it came after two defensive stops by Prince Orizu.

Arong’s turnaround jumper with 14.6 seconds left handed the Tamaraws a 50-47 lead.

It was enough to hold off the Maroons and hand the defending champions their third win in five games. Peter Atencio

ture showing given that they already have experience going this deep in the playoffs.

“We’ve been here before and right now, the semis should not be the end for us. All we need is to eventually win a championship,” said Black.

The two protagonists immediately disposed of their respective opponents in the quarterfinals to advance after they took full advantage of their twice-to-beat incentive there.

TNT KaTropa continued to dominate as it manhandled play-

offs neophyte Phoenix, 136-124, last Saturday after superstar Jayson Castro exploded for 42 points.

Prior to that, Meralco overcame a 15-point deficit and clawed its way back to complete a 105-82 rout over Mahindra also on the same day.

Meanwhile, over at the other side of the fence, the hostilities have already started between San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra as their own best-of-five semis tilt is already underway as of this report with Game 1 currently on deck.

Jiu-jitsu bet delivers PH’s 1st gold in Beach Games THE Philippines claimed its first gold medal in the 5th Asian Beach Games, courtesy of Margarita Ochoa in the women’s -45kg. division in jiu-jitsu on Sunday night.

Ochoa, a gold medalist in the 2015 World Jiu-jitsu Championships, displayed her awesome form to beat Thai Suwanan Boonsorn in their final encounter at the Bien Dong Park in Danang City, Vietnam.

On her way to the final, Ochoa defeated Vietnamese Do Thu Ha in the quarterfinal and Turkmenistan’s Dinara Jumadurdyyeva in the semifinal.

The Philippines is now in seventh place in the medal tally with one gold, one silver and five bronze medals.

Gian Taylor Dee pocketed the silver medal after losing to Iraqi Amir Yahya Abdulamir Albazy in the men’s -62kg. final.

In the women’s -62kg. event, Apryl Jessica Eppinger defeated Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy to forge a semifinal showdown with Jordanian

Ruba Nicola Alsayegh, “I am so elated that the first Philippine gold for team PHI was delivered by a woman jujitsu fighter, Meggie Ochoa. Equally proud of our kurash lady Helen Dawa for bringing us bronze. As we speak, another jiu-jitsu lady warrior Apryl Eppinger assured us of another bronze,” said Philippine delegation Chef de Mission Karen Tanchanco-Caballero in an interview on Monday.

“Our boys did not disappoint by delivering our first silver thru the hard work of jiu-jitsu Gian Dee. Muay boys also made us proud with three bronzes from Polosan, Delarmino and Gregorio.

Good week for Team PHI in Danang!” added Tanchanco-Caballero, president of the Philippine Amateur Sepak Takraw Association.

In Muay Thai, Jonathan Polosan and Jay Harold Gregorio formally claimed the bronze medals after losing their respective semifinal matches.

More tuneup games for Azkals pushed FORMER national coach Norman Fegidero Jr. would like to see more time together and tuneup matches for the Philippine Azkals before they plunge into action in the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup championships kicking off in November.

“Skills-wise, they are already at par with anyone in the region, but they should practice together more and get several tuneup matches under their belt,” said Fegidero, who handled the Filipino booters when they saw action in the 2008 Asian Fooball Confederation Challenge Cup qualifying tournament held in Bacolod City.

Under his tutelage and despite the lack of international expo-

sure, the Nationals finished with a record of two wins and one draw, good for seven points, in a tie with Tajikistan, which advanced to the main tournament on goal difference.

Bannered by siblings Phil and James Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong, Chad Gould and Aly Borromeo, Fegidero’s charges battled the the Tajiks to a scoreless draw when they collided.

A star of the PH side that finished fourth place in the 1991 Manila Southeast Asian Games —the country’s best finish in the regional meet—the mentor noted that “cohesiveness is important, especially for a national team competing in the Suzuki Cup. “It is vital if the Azkals had

more time together as a team so that they can blend together well, which is why they also should have more tuneup matches.”

The Azkals are scheduled to have test matches against North Korea on Oct. 7 and Turkmenistan on Oct. 10, respectively, at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.

With the retirement of veteran defenders Juani Guirado and Robert Gier plus the sidelining of Simone Rota, who recently suffered a knee injury, Fegidero said that there might be some problems in the back row. “But I believe that the rest of our players can step up.

(Azkals) coach Thomas Dooley will be able to adequately address these issues.”

MetroPac speeds up P23-b toll road link

B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

B1

Peso plummets to 7-year low T

HE Philippine peso sank to a seven-year low and stocks declined as investors pulled money from the nation’s assets amid concerns about President Rodrigo Duterte’s policies.

Global funds sold Philippine stocks for a 23rd straight day amid nervousness about the fallout from Duterte’s anti-drug war and his outbursts against the US and the United Nations.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Governor Amando Tetangco, who last week sought to soothe investors spooked by Duterte’s rhetoric, said Monday the currency’s movements partly reflect uncertainty about the Federal Reserve’s next policy action.

The peso led a drop in emergingmarket currencies ahead of the US presidential debate and a meeting of oil producers this week.

The peso’s decline is “mainly due to politics, with the Philippine president’s ongoing war on drug dealers and his intent to seem to alienate all of their major trading partners,” said Jeffrey Halley, a market strategist at Oanda Asia Pacific Pte in Singapore.

“Any rally would be quite short-lived in the peso this week

just until the political situation clarifies a lot more. We also have the first US presidential debate coming up and I think it’s quite a big event that hasn’t really been priced by the market,” he said.

The peso lost P0.26, or 0.5 percent, to close at 48.25 a dollar Monday from 47.99 a dollar Friday. Available data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed it was the local currency’s weakest level since it settled at 48.356 on Sept. 16, 2009 at the height of the

global financial crisis.

Total volume turnover reached $758.5 million, higher than $590.5 million on Friday.

“The peso movement reflected the continuing uncertainty about the US Fed’s next policy action, just like the other regional currencies, plus strong foreign exchange demand for fixing and corporate requirements,” Tetangco said.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the situation was not unique in the Philippines

but was also happening in other parts of the world.

“You look at the dollar is doing around the world. You know, when [Fed chairman Janet] Yellen says we might raise rates, that will affect us, it’s not only our situation,” Dominguez said.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said in an emailed response to an inquiry that the peso continued to underperform, compared to other Asian currencies.

Bloomberg with Julito G. Rada

IN BRIEF

PSe comPoSite index

Closing September 26, 2016

T-bill rates ease

8300

THE government sold P20 billion worth of short-term debt paper Monday, as investors demanded lower rates.

The Treasury awarded P6 billion from the of 91-day debt instruments, P6 billion from 182-day papers and another P6 billion from 364-day bills.

The Treasury said the auction received strong demand, with bid-tocover the ratio of more than 2.5 times across all tenors.

Interest rates on the P91-day or three-month debt facilities settled at 1.321 percent or 15 basis points lower than the previous rate of 1.479 percent.

Tenders for the three-month debt papers reached P21.128 billion, or nearly triple the original offer of P8 billion.

The 182-day bills rates also decreased by 3.5 basis points to 1.439 percent from the previous auction average rate of 1.474 percent. Tenders for the debt facilities reached P15.9 billion, or more than thrice the P6 billion original offer.

Interest rates for the 364-day or oneyear debt papers eased 4.1 basis points to 1.683 percent from the previous average rate of 1.724 percent. Tenders for the debt facility hit P15.45 billion, or more than double the original offer of P6 billion. Gabrielle H. Binaday

7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,632.46 91.14

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P48.250

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P48.050 LOW P48.260 AVERAGE P48.218 VOLUME 758.500M

P392-P620.00 LPG/11-kg tank P35.70-P42.50 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P

Runway slot rules

today

P24.84-P28.27 Diesel

FRANCHISE EXPO. The Association of the Filipino Franchisers Inc. calls on the government to regulate rent at shopping malls to help small entrepreneurs. AFFI is organizing the 15th Franchise and Business Expo on Oct. 14 to 16 at World Trade Center in Pasay City. Shown during a media briefing to announce the holding of the expo are (from left) AFFI chairman Armando Butz Bartolome, executive director Raffy Canare, executive vice president and overall expo chairman Ricardo Cuna and president Jerry Ilao. Lino Santos

P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monday, September 26, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.9400

Japan

Yen

0.009898

0.4745

UK

Pound

1.296900

62.1734

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128942

6.1815

Switzerland

Franc

1.031460

49.4482

Canada

Dollar

0.759821

36.4258

Singapore

Dollar

0.735889

35.2785

Australia

Dollar

0.760800

36.4728

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

127.1618

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266610

12.7813

Brunei

Dollar

0.733192

35.1492

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028853

1.3832

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.0527

Euro

Euro

1.123300

53.8510

Korea

Won

0.000907

0.0435

China

Yuan

0.149930

7.1876

India

Rupee

0.014993

0.7188

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.243309

11.6642

New Zealand

Dollar

0.724100

34.7134

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031914

1.5300 Source: PDS Bridge

Hyundai eyes Eon production under Cars scheme

By Othel V. Campos HYUNDAI Asia Resources Inc. submitted an application to participate in the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy scheme, with sub-compact car Eon as its entry model in the program.

Industry sources said the local distributor of Korean brand Hyundai filed the application to join the Cars program last week.

Sources said Eon units would be assembled by Star Motor Manufacturing Corp. in its facility in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna.

Currently, Star Motors assemble

Finance submits initial tax package to House

By Gabrielle H. Binaday THE Finance Department on Monday submitted the first package of its comprehensive tax reform program to the House of Representatives, amid calls from lawmakers to fast-track the proposal.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told reporters at the sidelines of the plenary deliberations of the proposed 2017 national budget the agency handed the tax reform package to House ways and means committee chairman and Aurora Rep. Dakila Cua. The first package aims to boost revenue collection by P200 billion.

Cua earlier urged the Finance Department to submit the tax package as soon as possible.

“This has been a matter longawaited by the public. [Besides] President Rodrigo Duterte has been in office for several months now and he wouldn’t be pleased if you delay any longer,” Cua said during a committee hearing last week.

“Congress which is the slower institution is running faster than you already. So do not delay any further. I know you want to

refine but it will never be perfect so submit it and we will refine it together,” he said.

Dominguez said the first package of tax reforms was designed to reduce personal income tax rates while raising revenues to help fund the Duterte administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda for inclusive growth.

The first package proposes to adjust personal income tax and consumption tax brackets; reduce the personal income tax rate to 25 percent over time except for the highest income earners which will be taxed as high as 35 percent to maintain progressivity; and shift to a modified gross system to simplify the personal income tax system.

This measure is expected to gain P359.7 billion in additional revenues, offsetting P159 billion worth of projected revenue losses.

Package one will also expand the value added tax base by limiting the exemptions to raw food, education and health. A targeted subsidy program will be set up that will protect the poor and the vulnerable from the expansion of the VAT-base.

Nissan Patrol in the Sta. Rosa facility.

The Board of Investments said the application would undergo review to assess the company’s capacity to produce 200,000 units and provide the necessary investments needed to sustain local production.

Hyundai sold 11,207 passenger cars in the first half, including 10,000 sub-compact cars.

Under the Cars program, the automotive sector targets to generate 200,000 new jobs, bring in fresh investments worth $1.2 billion, stimulate local demand by increasing vehicle sales to $9.2

billion and effectively implement industry regulations to revitalize the Philippine automotive industry.

Qualified automotive players will have to produce at least 600,000 units in six years with each of the three companies required to deliver 200,000 units each during the life of the program.

The Trade Department already approved the applications of Toyota Motor Philippines and Mitsubishi Motor Philippines for the program.

The program offers P27 billion worth of time-bound and performance-based fiscal and

non-fiscal incentives to support new investments in fixed-capital expenditures in new parts making capability and to encourage large-scale production in vehicle assembly.

Assistance of $1,000 per unit will kick in as soon as each manufacturer produces its 100,000th unit.

The program is anchored on the resurgence of the automotive manufacturing industry and in priming the country as a regional automotive manufacturing hub.

The Philippines recently refocused on promoting manufacturing in the face of the Asean economic integration.

THE government issued new rules on the use of runway slots at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in a bid to ease traffic congestion.

Under the joint memorandum circular issued by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Manila International Airport and Civil Aeronautics Board, an airline can only operate a service that has a corresponding time slot, otherwise the airline will be ordered by Air Coordination Australia to stop operating that service.

Sydney-based ACA was tasked to handle airlines schedules at Naia.

“If it persists to operate without slots, the matter will be brought to the attention of the Timeslot Committee for appropriate regulatory action,” the joint circular said.

Members of the committee are CAAP, MIAA and ACA. The circular further said an airline should operate a service only on its approved time slot.

“An airline operating a service at at significantly different time, or intentionally utilizing the same in a significantly different way from that for which it was allocated by the coordinator shall be deemed to have misused the same,” it said.

An example of a misuse of time slot is when an airline secures a non-peak timeslot and then retimes and flies it during the peak period, according to the circular.

“An airline that does not fly on the time slot allocated by the coordinator shall be re-accommodated to another period or time block that has an open time slot, and shall not be squeezed into any succeeding period or time block, if such would result in the aircraft movements for the period or time block exceeding the set limit,” the circular said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Cusi asks CoA to honor Malampaya gas contract

By Alena Mae Flores ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi asked the Commission on Audit to honor the sanctity of the Malampaya natural gas project’s contract in northwest Palawan.

CoA earlier issued a notice of charge to collect around P151 billion from the Malampaya consortium for the period 2002 to end June 2016, arising from the CoA’s tax interpretation that corporate income tax should not form a part

of the government’s share in the Malampaya project.

The Energy Department under the previous administration appealed CoA’s findings.

Cusi said in a letter to CoA dated Sept. 19 that the Energy

PLDT CELEBRATES TEACHERFEST. The 9th PLDT Gabay Guro Grand Gathering is glittered with world-class entertainment and exciting, life-changing prizes headlined by the coveted Foton van and house-and-lot grand raffle from Perry’s Group of Companies. Shown are (from left) celebrity hosts MJ Lastimosa, Pops Fernandez and Andrew Wolff; Perry’s Group of Companies’ Finina and Barry Tugade; PLDT Gabay Guro chairman Chaye Cabal-Revilla; Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach; house-and-lot winner Chita Mejia of Carlos L. Albert High School Quezon City; Smart human resources head Gina Ordoñez; PLDT-Smart Foundation president Esther Santos; PDRF president Butch Meily; SGV partner Ramon Dizon and PLDT Clarktel president Boy Castaneda.

Department was “still adopting the aforementioned motion for recommendation as the official DOE position in the subject controversy.”

Cusi said “the foremost consideration in the mind of foreign investors in deciding where to invest is the predictability, certainty and consistency of investment rules and regulatory regime of a country.”

“It is therefore, of fundamental importance that we observe the sanctity of contract in our commercial transactions,” the official said.

The energy chief said in a separate comment that he raised the matter to the economic cluster and the Cabinet and “we concurred with the [previous] DOE stand.”

The CoA decision eroded the country’s investment standing compared to other countries, but Cusi said this could be reversed if “CoA reconsiders and reverses its decision.”

The Malampaya consortium is composed of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., with a 45-percent stake, Chevron Malampaya LLC (45 percent) and PNOC Exploration Corp. (10 percent).

B2

Business

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market drops; URC climbs S

TOCKS fell Monday, after last week’s Fed-inspired rally ran out of steam and as investors weighed prospects of major oil producers agreeing to output curbs.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, lost 91 points, or 1.2 percent, to close at 7,632.46, on a value turnover of P7.6 billion.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also tumbled 50 points, or 1.1 percent, to settle at 4,536.60, on a value turnover of P7.2 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 123 to 62, while 45 issues were unchanged.

All six counters ended in the red, while only four of the 20 most active stocks ended in the

green. Food manufacturer Universal Robina Corp. bucked the downtrend with a 0.9-percent gain to close at P185, while Jollibee Foods Corp. advanced 0.8 percent to P249.

Renewable power producer Energy Development Corp. gained 0.5 percent to P6, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. rose 0.1 percent to P85.25.

Meanwhile, Asian markets also traded lower, after a burst of enthusiasm last week on the back of the US central bank’s decision to keep interest rates on

reach an agreement,” he told Bloomberg News.

Two years of oversupply and Opec’s failure to reach any kind of consensus on how to deal with it have left observers sceptical of any change in direction when players meet in Algeria.

Hong Kong and Shanghai were both down 0.9 percent in mid-afternoon.

Sydney closed flat, while Taiwan gave up one percent and Seoul slipped 0.3 percent.

Monday’s loss of altitude came on the back of a disappointing Friday in the US, where the Dow slid 0.7 percent and the tech-rich Nasdaq gave up 0.6 percent. Shares in Apple and Yahoo led the charge downwards.

With AFP, Bloomberg

hold for a little longer.

The stay of execution for easy money served also to bolster the Japanese yen, knocking the stuffing out of Tokyo which ended down 1.25 percent and adding to the gloom.

A stronger yen tends to make Japanese stocks less desirable.

Uneasiness over oil was also dampening enthusiasm, ahead of a meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia this week.

“Oil spot prices will have a big influence on where equities markets are going to trade for the early part of the week,” said Angus Nicholson, a Melbournebased analyst at IG Ltd. “There are uncertainties over whether the Opec members can

BDO to raise P60b from rights offering

By Julito G. Rada BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender controlled by tycoon Henry Sy, will raise P60 billion in capital from a rights offering to support the bank’s growth.

“The fresh capital will support the bank’s medium-term growth objectives amid the country’s favorable macroeconomic prospects, and provide a comfortable buffer over higher capital requirements with the forthcoming imposition of the domestic systemically important bank [DSIB] surcharge,” BDO told the stock

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 10.4 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 91.5 80 361.2 57 180 1700 124

66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 6.12 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 62 52 276 41 118.2 1200 59

Asia United Bank 48.25 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 111.10 Bank of PI 105.50 China Bank 38.05 BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. 3.72 Bright Kindle Resources 1.42 COL Financial 16.2 Eastwest Bank 21.45 Filipino Fund Inc. 6.80 I-Remit Inc. 1.87 Manulife Fin. Corp.

605.00 MEDCO Holdings 0.970 Metrobank 85.15 Natl. Reinsurance Corp. 0.92 PB Bank 14.2 Phil. National Bank 59.30 Philippine trust Co. 249.6 PSE 272 RCBC `A’ 35.95 Security Bank 253 Sun Life Financial 1410.00 Union Bank 73.35

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92

20.6 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5 5.25 12.98 2.65 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 7.34 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

15.32 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 20.2 71.5 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 34.1 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.37 3.87 8.45 2.09 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 1.65 5.9 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

45.15 Agrinurture Inc. 3.32 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 1 Alsons Cons.

1.63 Asiabest Group 16.5 Cemex Holdings 12.1 Century Food 16.94 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 118 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 23.9 Concepcion 57 Crown Asia 2.18 Da Vinci Capital 6.03 Del Monte 12.26 DNL Industries Inc. 11.740 Emperador 7.21 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.97 EEI 7.97 First Gen Corp.

25.4 First Holdings ‘A’ 72 Holcim Philippines Inc. 16.60 Integ. Micro-Electronics 6.15 Ionics Inc 2.180 Jollibee Foods Corp.

247.80 Liberty Flour 54.70 Mabuhay Vinyl 4.38 Macay Holdings 27.40 Manila Water Co. Inc. 29.45 Maxs Group 28.95 Megawide 14.98 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 314.00 MG Holdings 0.260 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.76 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.23 Petron Corporation 10.24 Phinma Energy 2.24 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 6.00 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.58 Pryce Corp. `A’ 3.58 RFM Corporation 4.20 Roxas and Co. 2.21 Roxas Holdings 3.4 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 223 Splash Corporation 3.1 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.165 TKC Steel Corp.

1.79 Universal Robina 183.3 Victorias Milling 4.67 Vitarich Corp.

2.35 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.27

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 3.68 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 9.66 0.0670 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.225 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 1.15 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 3 0.030 0.550 59.3 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ F&J Prince ‘B’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Orion San Miguel Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries

0.390 78.00 16.40 1.25 6.01 0.365 0.365 872 8.53 11.94 6.38 6.1 8.12 0.211 1480 6.34 76.35 8.25 0.81 16.36 7.19 3.09 0.0370 2.020 82.50 669.00 1.23 1.01 228.000 0.3200 0.1980

10.5 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.72 27 8.54 31.8

6.74 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.39 23 2.69 22.15

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’

7.500 1.30 2.700 0.275 39.000 2.91 5.1 0.590 1.10 0.990 0.167 0.600 59 0.780 0.143 1.02 1.91 1.18 4.79 0.230 0.415 35.00 3.81 30.85

High

Low

FINANCIAL 48 47.9 111.00 106.10 105.40 104.00 38.1 37.95 3.75 3.75 1.42 1.42 16.6 16.04 21.5 20.65 6.70 6.61 1.87 1.85 625.00 625.00 0.990 0.930 85.5 85 0.91 0.9 14.2 14 59.90 59.00 250 240 272 269.8 36 35.8 250 245.2 1430.00 1410.00 73.40 73.20 INDUSTRIAL 45.15 44.8 3.45 3.29 1 0.96 1.67 1.65 16.5 16.12 12.12 12 16.94 16.5 117.2 117.2 23.9 23.55 57 57 2.2 2.14 6.15 6 12.28 12.16 11.740 11.400 7.20 7.15 6.07 5.94 8.00 7.90 25.5 25 72.3 71.3 16.60 16.50 6.16 6.11 2.240 2.150 249.80 247.40 40.05 40.05 4.45 4.31 27.55 27.00 29.65 28.6 29 28.2 14.92 14.54 314.00 312.60 0.260 0.260 4.51 4.50 3.18 3.06 10.20 9.96 2.35 2.25 6.01 6.00 1.58 1.53 3.6 3.53 4.20 4.19 2.21 2.21 3.22 3.2 223 220.2 3.1 3.1 0.164 0.155 1.83 1.78 185 181.1 4.21 4.21 2.41 2.3 1.28 1.20 HOLDING FIRMS 0.390 0.375 78.00 76.05 16.42 16.04 1.22 1.20 6.20 6.03 0.360 0.360 0.365 0.365 878 865 8.53 8.2 12.00 11.72 6.4 6.35 6.5 6.49 8.25 8.15 0.211 0.201 1480 1465 6.34 6.34 76.35 75.45 8.21 7.66 0.82 0.8 16.44 15.88 7.18 7.01 3.08 3.08 0.0380 0.0360 2.030 2.020 82.50 81.00 672.00 660.00 1.28 1.23 0.96 0.96 229.000 227.000 0.3200 0.3150 0.2040 0.1980 PROPERTY 7.500 7.450 1.32 1.29 2.700 2.520 0.280 0.270 38.800 37.900 2.98 2.85 5.1 5.1 0.590 0.580 1.15 1.07 1.000 0.990 0.170 0.164 0.600 0.590 60 58.7 0.770 0.770 0.143 0.143 1.03 1.00 1.94 1.85 1.14 1.14 4.77 4.63 0.238 0.206 0.420 0.420 33.75 33.00 4.05 3.83 30.85 30.65

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

48 107.00 105.00 38.1 3.75 1.42 16.2 20.65 6.61 1.85 625.00 0.930 85.25 0.9 14.2 59.30 242 269.8 35.85 247 1430.00 73.30

-0.52 -3.69 -0.47 0.13 0.81 0.00 0.00 -3.73 -2.79 -1.07 3.31 -4.12 0.12 -2.17 0.00 0.00 -3.04 -0.81 -0.28 -2.37 1.42 -0.07

26,300 2,508,140 704,070 97,700 250,000 2,000 161,300 539,600 5,500 78,000 20 6,788,000 2,633,940 42,000 15,400 9,360 1,000 600 379,800 1,200,510 155 205,960

886,715.00 -4,843,616 30,376,602.00 1,999,700.00

45.15 3.35 0.96 1.66 16.38 12.06 16.5 117.2 23.75 57 2.18 6 12.2 11.400 7.20 6.00 7.94 25.1 71.3 16.50 6.11 2.180 249.80 40.05 4.42 27.55 28.6 29 14.64 313.00 0.260 4.50 3.06 9.98 2.26 6.01 1.58 3.57 4.19 2.21 3.21 222 3.1 0.156 1.78 185 4.21 2.3 1.27

0.00 0.90 -4.00 1.84 -0.73 -0.33 -2.60 -0.68 -0.63 0.00 0.00 -0.50 -0.49 -2.90 -0.14 0.50 -0.38 -1.18 -0.97 -0.60 -0.65 0.00 0.81 -26.78 0.91 0.55 -2.89 0.17 -2.27 -0.32 0.00 -5.46 -5.26 -2.54 0.89 0.17 0.00 -0.28 -0.24 0.00 -5.59 -0.45 0.00 -5.45 -0.56 0.93 -9.85 -2.13 0.00

1,218,400 560,000 4,600,000 1,453,000 700 8,508,900 1,206,400 20 1,088,400 32,520 1,017,000 408,700 9,600 5,774,200 1,913,500 21,927,800 635,700 3,688,200 52,680 101,400 286,200 830,000 525,060 180 59,000 400 3,462,200 328,700 1,282,500 49,210 200,000 4,000 193,000 1,861,700 2,728,000 211,000 30,000 75,000 230,000 2,000 19,000 640 12,716,000 36,240,000 422,000 924,490 5,000 6,194,000 310,000

14,233,625.00 -329,860.00 294,000.00

0.390 77.00 16.20 1.20 6.03 0.360 0.365 868 8.2 11.86 6.4 6.5 8.25 0.211 1479 6.34 75.75 8.2 0.82 15.88 7.1 3.08 0.0380 2.030 81.40 661.00 1.28 0.96 229.000 0.3150 0.2040

0.00 -1.28 -1.22 -4.00 0.33 -1.37 0.00 -0.46 -3.87 -0.67 0.31 6.56 1.60 0.00 -0.07 0.00 -0.79 -0.61 1.23 -2.93 -1.25 -0.32 2.70 0.50 -1.33 -1.20 4.07 -4.95 0.44 -1.56 3.03

130,000 471,450 3,487,900 45,000 20,700 310,000 1,010,000 371,680 2,780,400 1,700,300 130,800 1,500 880,300 90,000 112,260 2,700 1,591,970 2,541,300 36,000 4,678,400 32,429,000 1,000 60,600,000 40,000 132,690 371,160 234,000 13,000 4,370 1,500,000 130,000

7.500 1.29 2.560 0.275 38.250 2.85 5.1 0.590 1.07 0.990 0.167 0.590 59.05 0.770 0.143 1.01 1.90 1.14 4.63 0.209 0.420 33.00 4.01 30.75

0.00 -0.77 -5.19 0.00 -1.92 -2.06 0.00 0.00 -2.73 0.00 0.00 -1.67 0.08 -1.28 0.00 -0.98 -0.52 -3.39 -3.34 -9.13 1.20 -5.71 5.25 -0.32

517,600 898,000 3,088,000 990,000 14,379,100 521,000 3,100 1,479,000 13,300 12,000 8,760,000 1,999,000 474,440 2,000 70,000 8,679,000 24,929,000 20,000 16,810,000 236,460,000 10,000 4,200 5,814,000 1,766,800

-348,530.00 -3,372,620.00 -98,630.00 526,500.00 -4,289,997.50 119,280.00 -15,164.50 5,398.00 -450,020 -247,463,138.00 -155,100.00 13,429,314.50

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 7.67 2720 8.41

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 1600 5.95

70.5 1.97 119.5 7 5.8 12.5 0.017

17.02 1.23 102.6 3.01 4 8.72 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 2.53 15.2

0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 1.01 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 4 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 2.28 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 9.43 0.236 6.5 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

70

33

8.21 12.28 111

5.88 6.5 101

1047 78.95 84.8

1011 74.5 75

6.98

0.8900

Close

Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

High

Low

1.65 3.36 27.90 1.07 7.15 1.030 5.170

1.65 1.61 3.34 3.29 27.90 27.35 1.08 1.04 7.1 7.1 1.030 1.010 5.200 5.080 SERVICES 2GO Group’ 7.4 7.4 7.3 ABS-CBN 49 49.2 49 Acesite Hotel 1.29 1.29 1.29 APC Group, Inc. 0.560 0.580 0.570 Asian Terminals Inc. 11.3 11.3 10.82 Bloomberry 5.35 5.33 5.08 Boulevard Holdings 0.1020 0.1040 0.0960 Calata Corp.

3.45 3.63 3.46 Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 119 119 116.8 Centro Esc. Univ.

10.12 10.12 10.12 Discovery World 2.59 2.8 2.59 DFNN Inc. 7.00 7.10 6.90 Globe Telecom 2092 2090 2072 GMA Network Inc. 6.28 6.32 6.28 Golden Haven 13.70 14.00 13.58 Grand Plaza Hotel 20.20 21.55 21.55 Harbor Star 1.89 1.92 1.80 I.C.T.S.I. 81.6 81.6 76.65 Imperial Res. `A’ 18.70 18.70 18.58 Imperial Res. `B’ 149.6 140.3 140.2 IPeople Inc. `A’ 11.7 11.7 11.42 IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.0099 0.0098 0.0096 IPM Holdings 9.24 9.24 9.20 Island Info 0.260 0.265 0.250 ISM Communications 1.4400 1.5000 1.4300 Jackstones 3.82 4 3.75 Leisure & Resorts 4.40 4.80 4.60 Liberty Telecom 2.32 2.30 2.25 Lorenzo Shipping 1.10 1.09 1.05 Melco Crown 4.35 4.34 4 Metro Retail 5.66 5.66 5.45 NOW Corp.

3.620 3.640 3.580 Pacific Online Sys. Corp. 11.36 11.4 11.38 PAL Holdings Inc. 5.62 5.67 5.62 Paxys Inc. 2.8 2.59 2.58 Phil. Seven Corp.

148.20 158.00 148.00 Philweb.Com Inc. 5.98 6.12 5.87 PLDT Common 1752.00 1752.00 1713.00 PremiereHorizon 0.420 0.420 0.415 Premium Leisure 1.040 1.040 1.000 Puregold 43.95 44.00 43.75 Robinsons RTL 78.60 79.20 78.40 SBS Phil. Corp.

6.09 6.10 6.04 SSI Group 3.00 3.01 2.90 STI Holdings 0.630 0.670 0.630 Travellers 3.31 3.36 3.3 Waterfront Phils.

0.355 0.350 0.345 Yehey 5.430 5.430 5.240 MINING & OIL Abra Mining 0.0038 0.0038 0.0037 Apex `A’ 3.10 3.06 2.92 Atlas Cons. `A’ 4.22 4.23 3.93 Atok-Big Wedge `A’ 9.66 9.67 9.67 Basic Energy Corp.

0.220 0.220 0.220 Benguet Corp `A’ 2.1200 2.19 2.1100 Benguet Corp `B’ 2.1700 2.2900 2.1400 Century Peak Metals Hldgs0.62 0.63 0.61 Coal Asia 0.420 0.420 0.410 Dizon 8.35 8.35 8.08 Ferronickel 0.860 0.910 0.860 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.270 0.275 0.270 Lepanto `A’ 0.210 0.214 0.208 Lepanto `B’ 0.221 0.223 0.223 Manila Mining `A’ 0.0120 0.0110 0.0110 Manila Mining `B’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.61 1.65 1.62 Nickelasia 6.94 7.19 6.6 Nihao Mineral Resources 2.93 2.98 2.88 Oriental Pet. `A’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 Oriental Pet. `B’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 4.16 4.06 4.00 Philex `A’ 8.60 8.71 8.50 PhilexPetroleum 3.31 3.62 3.30 Philodrill Corp. `A’ 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 Semirara Corp.

116.50 117.00 115.00 TA Petroleum 3.15 3.35 3.14 United Paragon 0.0097 0.0098 0.0098 PREFERRED ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 49.05 49.35 48.3 DD Pref 105 105.4 105 GMA Holdings Inc. 6.05 6.05 6.05 Leisure and Resort 1.03 1.04 1.03 MWIDE PREF 112.4 113 112.4 PCOR-Preferred B 1184 1184 1160 PF Pref 2 1022 1022 1022 SMC Preferred B 77.8 77.9 77.8 SMC Preferred C 81 81.75 81.5 SMC Preferred D 76.5 78 76.9 SMC Preferred E 78.2 80.5 77.7 SMC Preferred F 80.5 80.5 79.5 SMC Preferred G 79 80 80 SMC Preferred H 78.2 78.4 78.2 SMC Preferred I 78 78.2 78 WARRANTS & BONDS LR Warrant 2.440 2.810 2.480 SME Alterra Capital 2.88 3.01 2.91 Makati Fin. Corp.

3.1 3.1 3.1 Italpinas 4.9 4.9 4.75 Xurpas 14.22 14.42 13.98 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS First Metro ETF 127.8 128 125.1

MS 33,903,266.00 3,672,272.00 -119,500.00 -1,805,760 11,052.00

5,456,598.00 -9,596,834.00 27,279,820.00 693,950.00 50,111,320.00 -2,103,125.50 1,143,056.00 -359,887.00

23,151,264.00

39,563,380.00 -1,484,800.00 2,136,832.00 4,594,384.00 -79,570.00 -9,577,012.00 46,400.00 -882,470.00 854,860.00 4,420.00

404,350.00

-26,968,514

-424,210.00

2,299,119.50 -785,104.00

368,650.00 -11,628,130 15,263,891.00 -2,438,070.00

66,974,175.00

-20,705,536.50 -7,202,448.00

28,543,808.00 61,623,177.00

-1,228,337.50 -90,434,745.00

984,913.00 26,160.00 2,800.00 182,084,400.00 -686,100.00 -63,860.00 -1,980.00 -33,200.00 -2,128,371.00 -1,520,420.00 14,186,630.00

15

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

17,704,623

INDUSTRIAL

125,455,958

HOLDING FIRMS

171,125,432

-10,753,500.00 948,540.00

PROPERTY

351,597,337

SERVICES

417,022,918

MINING & OIL

207,471,542

-1,100,240.00 -19,705,735.00

GRAND TOTAL

1,292,361,145

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

1.62 3.31 27.35 1.06 7.1 1.030 5.140

-1.82 -1.49 -1.97 -0.93 -0.70 0.00 -0.58

137,000 256,000 9,948,200 -17,906,215.00 1,525,000 100 135,000 10,733,700 -41,423,139.00

7.4 49 1.29 0.580 10.82 5.08 0.0980 3.46 117.4 10.12 2.8 6.94 2080 6.30 13.98 21.55 1.86 76.9 18.58 140.3 11.7 0.0097 9.24 0.255 1.4700 3.94 4.71 2.27 1.08 4.03 5.60 3.580 11.4 5.67 2.58 148.00 5.96 1734.00 0.415 1.040 43.80 78.40 6.04 2.92 0.650 3.3 0.345 5.410

0.00 0.00 0.00 3.57 -4.25 -5.05 -3.92 0.29 -1.34 0.00 8.11 -0.86 -0.57 0.32 2.04 6.68 -1.59 -5.76 -0.64 -6.22 0.00 -2.02 0.00 -1.92 2.08 3.14 7.05 -2.16 -1.82 -7.36 -1.06 -1.10 0.35 0.89 -7.86 -0.13 -0.33 -1.03 -1.19 0.00 -0.34 -0.25 -0.82 -2.67 3.17 -0.30 -2.82 -0.37

40,300 47,700 2,000 91,000 1,000 20,184,900 101,430,000 17,803,000 967,960 100 115,000 133,800 76,645 247,100 48,300 500 1,545,000 1,999,910 4,400 60 700 144,000,000 464,000 18,940,000 1,488,000 143,000 10,954,000 738,000 6,000 19,704,000 4,718,100 1,444,000 2,000 2,900 32,000 24,180 576,700 101,480 1,160,000 22,064,000 1,799,700 512,740 78,600 3,114,000 33,742,000 656,000 180,000 54,100

0.0038 3.00 4.19 9.67 0.220 2.1900 2.2900 0.63 0.420 8.35 0.890 0.275 0.209 0.223 0.0110 0.0110 1.63 6.6 2.92 0.0110 0.0110 4.05 8.50 3.48 0.0120 115.50 3.29 0.0098

0.00 -3.23 -0.71 0.10 0.00 3.30 5.53 1.61 0.00 0.00 3.49 1.85 -0.48 0.90 -8.33 0.00 1.24 -4.90 -0.34 0.00 0.00 -2.64 -1.16 5.14 0.00 -0.86 4.44 1.03

9,000,000 167,000 123,000 200 20,000 6,000 10,000 255,000 250,000 31,400 51,819,000 20,000 4,610,000 600,000 4,500,000 600,000 151,000 17,381,600 239,000 101,500,000 20,000 58,000 724,100 10,553,000 100,000 295,800 98,000 4,000,000

48.3 105.2 6.05 1.04 113 1180 1022 77.8 81.5 77 80.35 80.5 80 78.4 78.2

-1.53 0.19 0.00 0.97 0.53 -0.34 0.00 0.00 0.62 0.65 2.75 0.00 1.27 0.26 0.26

136,000 16,380 217,200 255,000 40,040 2,510 995 14,900 30,010 130,000 116,700 160,000 25,000 179,830 161,400

-39,211,144.00 1,000.00 105,300.00 -16,211,860.00 24,870.00 42,679,290.00 177,800.00 -41,824,718.50

-2,006,720 -118,060.00 -12,853,290.00 -5,877,043.00

-100,163.00 -60,000.00 -15,298,620.00 -41,500.00 -132,980.00 -21,762,205.00 -30,027,137.50 2,396,280.00 3,669,770.00 -1,848,630.00

2,920.00 8,640.00

-19,670.00 -1,260.00 10,389,220.00

7,514,909.00

480,468.00 -264,740.00 -826,418.00

-2,720,030.00 -423,500.00 29,276.00

2.530

3.69

1,969,000

830.00

2.94 3.1 4.75 13.98

2.08 0.00 -3.06 -1.69

1,528,000 2,000 93,000 343,700

168,100.00

125.7

-1.64

12,370

-47,500.00 583,212.00

VALUE 1,834.42 (down) 26.61 1,096,996,965.36 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,889.19 (down) 15.67 1,130,304,678.484 HOLDING FIRMS 7,587.77 (down) 76.66 2,260,186,224.14 PROPERTY 3,398.44 (down) 60.12 1,515.92 (down) 26.45 1,222,148,658,79 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,894.46 (down) 116.89 1,253,401,663.34 PSEI 7,632.46 (down) 91.14 247,306,098.0876 All Shares Index 4,536.60 (down) 50.11 7,221,750,410.50 Gainers: 62; Losers: 123; Unchanged: 45; Total: 230

exchange Monday.

“The additional capital will allow BDO to sustain its momentum and take advantage of the country’s growth opportunities. Over the past five years, the bank’s customer loan portfolio grew at a 19 percent compounded annual growth rate, outpacing the industry’s 17 percent CAGR,” it said.

BDO said it planned to expand its presence in emerging growth areas particularly the consumer, provincial middle market and SMEs and the underserved segments, as well as in infrastructure-related lending/project finance in line with the government’s thrust to promote countryside development and ramp up infrastructure spending.

BDO’s consolidated common equity tier 1 ratio and capital adequacy ratio reached 11.3 percent and 13.1 percent, respectively as of end June, above the regulatory minimum levels, even with the gradual implementation of the DSIB surcharge.

Domestic systemically important banks are those lenders whose distress or disorderly failure would cause significant disruptions to the wider financial system and the economy. Bangko Sentral completed its determination of these banks following the framework released in October 2014.

Banks were classified depending on the extent of their systemic importance using pre-defined indicators for size, interconnectedness, substitutability and market reliance as a financial market infrastructure and complexity.

Splash trading stopped

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Philippine Stock Exchange ordered the suspension of Splash Corp.’s stock trading starting Tuesday, after public ownership of the beauty products manufacturer fell below the minimum public float of 10 percent.

Splash’s public ownership dipped to 3.42 percent from 21.84 percent, after it completed a tender offer to acquire the remaining shares held by minority investors.

“Pursuant to the Amended Rule on Minimum Public Ownership, the exchange will implement a trading suspension on the shares of SPH after completion of the cross of the tendered shares with a target date of Sept. 27, 2016,” PSE said in a notice posted on its website.

“The exchange will apprise the trading participants and the investing public of further developments on the matter,” it said.

The personal care products manufacturer last week reported that it bought a total of 129.886 million common shares owned by minority shareholders at P3.10 per share. This represents 21.84 percent of the company’s outstanding capital stock.

Splash also purchased 8.569 million common shares, pursuant to the company’s share buyback program.

After the tender offer and the share buyback transactions, the Hortaleza group, the majority shareholders of the company, increased its stake in Splash to 96.58 percent while public ownership dropped to 3.42 percent.

Splash conducted a voluntary tender offer in line with its plan to delist its shares from the local bourse.

The PSE, however, has yet to approve the company’s delisting plan.

Business

B3

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

LONDON AWARD.

SM Supermalls receives the prestigious Brand of the Year Award under the National Tier 20162017, during the World Branding Awards ceremonies held in a gala dinner at the iconic Kensington Palace in London.

Richard Rowles (left), chairman of the World Branding Forum, gives the award award to Steven Tan, senior vice president of SM Supermalls.

MetroPac speeds up P23-b toll road link

By Alena Mae S. Flores

M

ETRO Pacific Investments Corp. and the Public Works and Highways Department agreed to speed up the construction of the P23-billion expressway linking North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway.

Metro Pacific Group spokesman Mike Toledo said the company submitted Monday the post-award requirements to Public Works in compliance with the conditions to the construction and operation of the eight-kilometer NLEx-SLEx connector road.

Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. and unit Manila North Tollways Corp., the original proponent for NLEx-SLEx Connector Road Project, received the notice of award from Public Works on Sept. 19.

The MPIC Group won the

Swiss Challenge for the project in July, after no company submitted comparative proposals.

MPTDC reduced its internal rate of return for the project to 10.87 percent from 12.09 percent by lowering the opening tariff from P100 to P87.

The Public Private Partnership Center earlier identified seven companies that purchased bid documents for the Swiss Challenge of NLEx-SLEx Connector Road, including San Miguel Holdings Corp., Obrascon Huarte Lain SA, Hunan Road and Bridge Corp. and four law firms.

The project is an unsolicited proposal approved by the National

Economic and Development Authority under the buildoperate-transfer scheme for the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of an eight-kilometer elevated toll expressway over the right of way of Philippine National Railways.

The project starts at the junction of NLEx Segment 10 at C-3 Road/5th Ave. in Caloocan City and seamlessly connects to South Luzon Expressway though Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project in Manila.

Metro Pacific Tollways president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco earlier said the first section of the project would start in 2018.

Pagcor orders reopening of twenty bingo outlets

By Jenniffer B. Austria GAMING firm Leisure & Resorts World Corp. said Monday it obtained the approval of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to reopen 20 out of the 35 e-Bingo sites earlier closed down by the regulator.

Pagcor ordered the 20 eBingo sites closed due to their non-compliance to the distance restrictions on sites such as schools.

LRWC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the board of Pagcor recalled the revocation to operate eBingo, which is operated by wholly-owned subsidiary

AB Leisure Exponent Inc. “The approval was based on the recommendation of Pagcor’s Gaming Licensing and Development Department and the legal opinion of its corporate and legal services department to honor the licenses of operators whose gaming sites are located inside malls, arcades and hotels and consider them exempted from distance requirements,” LRWC said.

Sixteen other e-Bingo sites remain closed.

LRWC said Pagcor allowed the resumption of eBingo operations until the respective expiration of the licenses of the sites.

Pagcor is studying whether it

will permanently maintain the exemption of malls, arcades and hotels from the distance requirements.

Pagcor on Sept. 9 ordered LRWC to close down 17 electronic gaming and 36 e-Bingo sites due to non-compliance with the distance restriction guidelines.

LRWC said it would appeal the Pagcor the order.

The gaming company earlier said the closure of the 53 sites would result in foregone revenues of P477 million and P65.2 million based on its financial performance in first seven months of 2016.

President Rodrigo Duterte

earlier vowed to stop the proliferation of online gambling in the country.

Pagcor did not renew the gaming license of another gaming firm, PhilWeb Corp., which is owned by businessman Roberto Ongpin.

Pagcor rules state that an electric gaming or a bingo parlour should not be less than 200 meters from schools and places of worship.

LRWC is a holding company that is engaged in the leisure business, which includes general amusement and recreation, bingo parlors, hotel and gaming facilities.

International goodwill belongs to the people AS I contemplate the many bad things that are happening to this country’s relations with the international community, I am reminded of a legal maxim of Roman origin. Translated from Latin, the maxim reads, “One must not destroy what one does not own.”

The “what one does not own” that I have in mind is the goodwill that until recently the Philippines enjoyed vis-à-vis certain international institutions and world leaders. In recent weeks, the Filipino people have seen a sharp deterioration in this country’ relations with the United Nations, the European Union, the US government and the Roman Catholic Church and with world leaders like Pope Francis, US President Barack Obama and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Much goodwill toward the Philippines has been lost in the process.

Like any group of individuals, the Filipino people have a balance sheet. On the left side of the balance sheet are listed the assets of the Filipino people and on the other side are their liabilities. Chief among the assets appearing in the balance sheet is the goodwill that the great majority of the world’s nations—almost all of the members of the UN—feel toward the Philippines. It is this asset of the Filipino people that is undergoing erosion.

The international community’s goodwill toward and respect for the Philippines did not materialize overnight. Rather, they are the results of decades of exemplary Philippine precepts of international order and of steadfastness in the defense of libertarian principles. By 2015 the Philippines’ reputation as a respectable and responsible member of the international community had become firmly established.

An original signatory of the organization’s charter, the Philippine relations with the United Nations has always been characterized by utmost goodwill and cordiality. The various agencies of the UN—including UNDP, WHO, FAO—have steadfastly supported this country’s economic development efforts, and the financial agencies of the UN (IMF and the World Bank Group) provided support to the Philippine economy during its recurrent financial crises. With every crisis resolution the bonds between the Philippines and the UN became stronger.

The relationship of goodwill between the Philippines and the European Union, whose membership includes most of the countries that comprise the First World, has likewise become stronger over the years, with the EU providing financial and technical support for this country’s economic development programs. As with the UN, cordiality and mutual respect have been the hallmarks of the Philippine-EU relationship.

Because of its being a country with one of the largest Roman Catholic populations in the world—and its being the only Catholic country in Asia—the Philippines enjoys pride of place in the world of Roman Catholicism. Pope Francis’s pastoral visit to this country in 2015 was one of the first of his Papacy.

Since 1991 relations between the Philippines and the US, this country’s former colonial master, have undergone jarring. In that year the Philippine Senate voted to not renew the Philippines-US Bases Agreement, in the process demonstrating this country’s readiness and ability to display foreign-policy independence. But the underlying goodwill between the Philippines and the world’s only superpower was not badly shaken by the negative developments. Between the governments and peoples of the Philippines and the US there has always been a recognition of the value of maintaining a relationship that is now 145 years old.

At this point I go back to the Latin maxim that I cited at the outset of this column. “One cannot destroy what one does not own.”

The goodwill, respect and trust discussed above are the property of the Filipino people. The people of this country have worked long and hard to win the goodwill, respect and trust of the world. Only the Filipino people have the right to perform acts—acts of insolence, uncivility and insensitivity—that have the effect of destroying the goodwill, respect and trust that the international community has long accorded to the Filipino people.

No single individual, whatever his station, has the right. No one person may destroy things that belong to the Filipino nation.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

Boos for Yahoo JUST when we thought Yahoo could sink no lower, came the news last week of a massive data breach in which personal information was stolen from at least 500 million user accounts in 2014. As if the staggeringly huge number of people compromised wasn’t bad enough, it took Yahoo two years to detect the breach and to report it to its users.

In a “Notice of Data Breach” sent to Yahoo users, the company said the account information stolen may have included names, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, hashed passwords and, in some cases, encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers.

“The ongoing investigation suggests that stolen information did not include unprotected passwords, payment card data, or bank account information; payment card data and bank account information are not stored in the system that the investigation has found to be affected,” Yahoo said.

If you are a Yahoo account holder, you need to move swiftly.

“We are asking potentially affected

users to promptly change their passwords and adopt alternate means of account verification,” the company said. “We are recommending that all users who haven’t changed their passwords since 2014 do so.”

The company also encouraged all Yahoo users to follow these security recommendations: 1) Change your password and security questions and answers for any other accounts on which you use the same or similar credentials as the ones used for your Yahoo account.

This means that if you have similarly named accounts in, say, on Google, you’d better change your password and security questions and answers on those accounts as well, to prevent hackers from using the information they stole from Yahoo to break into your non-Yahoo accounts.

2) Review your accounts for suspicious activity.

3) Be cautious of any unsolicited communications that ask for your

personal information or refer you to A separate FAQ on the data a web page asking for personal infor- breach said those who hacked mation. into Yahoo’s system were state-sponsored, but it did not 4) Avoid clicking on links or down- specify which government as inloading attachments from suspicious volved. Security experts, however, e-mails. In fact, there could be an up- suspect that Russian hackers were betick in phishing e-mails that capital- hind the largest known breach of user ize on the concern caused by Yahoo’s accounts. data breach. “The e-mail from Yahoo Symantec, in its 2016 Internet Seabout this issue does not ask you to curity Threat Report, said that more click on any links or contain attach- users were affected in this one inciments and does not request your per- dent than all of last year. sonal information,” the company said Since the breach was announced, on it security notice. “If an e-mail two lawsuits have been filed against you receive about this issue prompts Yahoo, both in California, alleging you to click on a link, download an that it was negligent in securing usattachment, or asks you for informa- ers’ personal information. One of the tion, the e-mail was not sent by Yahoo complaints alleges that Yahoo took an and may be an attempt to steal your “unusually long period of time” unpersonal information.” covering the breach, and in the two years since it was hacked and disAdditionally, the company sug- closed, people were at risk of identity gested that users consider using Ya- theft. hoo’s Account Key, an authentication News of the breach comes at a crutool that eliminates the need to use a cial time for the ailing internet piopassword altogether by asking you to neer, which agreed in July to sell its approve access on your smart phone. core business to telecommunications giant Verizon for $4.8 billion—much

lower than the $45 billion that Microsoft was willing to pay for it in 2008.

While Yahoo said it learned about the breach in July, Verizon said it learned of the incident only “within the last two days” and would not say if it would push through with the purchase.

While analysts don’t expect the breach to scuttle the sale, Verizon— which will now have to take into account the damages Yahoo might have to pay to affected users as a result of lawsuits--could use it as leverage to lower its purchase price for Yahoo.

If Yahoo has to pay $10 per user in reparations, says Chris Bulger of the Boston-based financial consulting company Bulger Partners, this would come to $5 billion--more than the $4.8 billion Verizon was willing to pay—before the breach was announced.

Column archives at: http://www.chinwong.com

Ray S. Eñano, Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

B4

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

Business

Oil rallies on future Opec deal O IL pared its biggest drop in more than two months as Saudi Arabia’s offer to cut output opens the door to a future Opec deal, even as it doesn’t expect an agreement this week when members of the group meet.

Futures advanced as much as 1.1 percent in New York after slumping 4 percent on Friday.

While Saudi Arabia and Iran didn’t reach an agreement after two days of preparatory talks in Vienna, the kingdom did offer to pump less crude if Iran caps output at current levels, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.

Saudi Arabia proposed to cut its production to January lev-

els, Algerian Energy Minister Noureddine Boutarfa said Sunday.

Oil has fluctuated since rallying in August on speculation the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia will agree on ways to stabilize the market when they meet in Algiers on Wednesday.

The chance that a deal this week will include Russia has slimmed as its delegation plans

to join discussions only after Opec members reach a consensus among themselves, said three people with knowledge of the matter.

“It’s significant in that it shows that the Saudis are softening in their approach,” said Richard Gorry, managing director at JBC Asia, referring to the proposal to cut output.

“From the Iranians’ perspective, they can’t increase production that much further, so to agree a freeze, wouldn’t really hurt them for the next 12 to 18 months,” he said in a Bloomberg television interview.

West Texas Intermediate for November delivery rose as much as 47 cents to $44.95 a barrel on the New

York Mercantile Exchange and was at $44.79 at 7:51 a.m. in London. The contract lost $1.84 to $44.48 a barrel on Friday, the biggest decline since July 13. Total volume traded was about 43 percent below the 100-day average.

Prices have averaged about $44.80 this quarter.

Brent for November settlement climbed as much as 53 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $46.42 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange.

Prices dropped $1.76, or 3.7 percent, to $45.89 on Friday.

The global benchmark traded at a $1.42 premium to WTI. Saudi Arabia pumped a record 10.69 million barrels a day in August compared with 10.2

million in January, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Opec and other major producers need to cut output by 1 million barrels a day to re-balance markets and stabilize prices, Algeria’s Boutarfa said last week.

Russia hasn’t received offers from other producers about a possible output cut, and the lack of an agreement in Algiers would not be critical for the country, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said, according to a RIA Novosti report on Sunday. Money managers increased their short position in WTI by 50,558 futures and options during the week ended Sept. 20, according to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Bloomberg

Thailand’s exports up in August THAILAND exports rose for the first time in five months in August following a surge in vehicle shipments, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce.

Exports gained 6.5 percent in August from a year earlier, compared to a median estimate of a 1 percent contraction in a Bloomberg survey of 14 economists Automobiles, which make up 12 percent of total exports, climbed 40.4 percent in August from a year earlier. Industrial exports rose 9 percent, led by auto, steel and semiconductor sectors Thailand posted a trade surplus of $2.13 billion in August, compared with $1.2 billion in the previous month Thailand is Southeast Asia’s vehicle production hub, producing about 2 million automobiles in the past 12 months, representing about half the regional total, according to research from Bloomberg Intelligence. That’s helping to support an economy that’s been hit by sliding global demand and weak consumer sentiment. Part of the surge in vehicle exports last month was due to $370 million of shipments that the customs department failed to book in July because of technical issues, Deputy Commerce Minister Suvit Maesincee.

Ministry of Commerce sees exports likely posting zero expansion to a contraction of 1 percent. Exports were up 14.9 percent to the US, 11.8 percent to the European Union, 5.7 percent to Japan and 4.4 percent to Japan. Bloomberg

DRIVERLESS IN PARIS. People watch a French capital’s transport authority RATP electric-powered driverless EZ10 minibus, able to carry up to 12

passengers, carrying out its first test on the banks of the river Seine on September 24, 2016 in Paris. The RATP carries out its first test of a driverless minibus, in the hope that regular routes for the hi-tech vehicles will be up and running within two years. One of the self-driving shuttle buses, made

by French hi-tech firm Easymile, run today along a special circuit in Paris on a pedestrianised street near the River Seine. AFP

Saudi banks get aid amid crunch SAUDI Arabia’s central bank stepped up efforts to support lenders in the Arab world’s biggest economy as they grapple with the effects of low oil prices.

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, as the central bank is known, said it decided to give banks about 20 billion riyals ($5.3 billion) in the form of time deposits “on behalf of government entities.” It’s also introducing seven-day and 28day repurchase agreements, as part of its “supportive monetary policy.”

The plunge in oil prices over the past two years forced the government to draw down on its deposits in the banking system, squeezing domestic liquidity. That’s pushed up the three-month Saudi Interbank Offered Rate, a key benchmark used for pricing loans, to the highest level since 2009. The central bank was said to have offered lenders 15 billion riyals in short-term loans in June to help ease liquidity constraints.

The move is “the next step in the continuing story we’ve been hearing since the start of the year on the tightening of liquidity among Saudi banks and a follow-on to the first injection provided to banks earlier this year,” said Murad Ansari, a Riyadh-based analyst at investment bank EFG-Hermes.

“The liquidity situation remains challenging. However, it shows that the central bank will continue to support Saudi banks.”

The announcement comes as the world’s biggest oil exporter prepares to sell its first international bonds to finance a budget deficit that the International Monetary Fund expects to reach about 13 percent of economic output this year. The economy will likely expand 1.1 percent in 2016, according to a Bloomberg survey, the slowest pace since 2009.

“They don’t want to come to the market with a Eurobond when these concerns aren’t addressed,” said Apostolos Bantis, a Dubai-based credit analyst at Commerzbank AG. “It will show investors that the government is committed to support the banking system.” Bloomberg

Kuok scion purchases 49% stake in Rolling Stone magazine SINGAPORE—A Singapore firm headed by a scion of one of Asia’s richest families has bought a 49-percent stake in Rolling Stone, with plans to diversify the iconic magazine into new business including live events and merchandising.

BandLab Technologies, a music and technology start-up headed by 28-year-old Kuok Meng Ru, bought the stake for an undisclosed sum and will

partner current owners Wenner Media, the firms said in a statement late Sunday.

Rolling Stone International, a new subsidiary to be headed

by Kuok, will organize events including concerts and develop merchandising and hospitality services, Bloomberg News reported.

Rolling Stone International will “build on the brand’s worldwide appeal and recognition,” the firms said in a state-

ment.

Kuok is the son of Singapore palm oil magnate Kuok Khoon Hong—founder of Wilmar International, the industry’s biggest trader—and grand-nephew of Robert Kuok, Malaysia’s richest man who is worth more than $11 billion according to Forbes.

“Rolling Stone’s impact on culture over the years has been immeasurable and I’m truly honored to be joining the team

on the next phase of its journey,” said Kuok, a Cambridge graduate.

BandLab Technologies’ portfolio already includes a cloud platform and social network for musicians, a music-making website, an instrument accessory design studio and Southeast Asia’s largest distributor of audio equipment.

“We are thrilled to have found an extraordinary partner for Rolling Stone as we focus

on the brand’s global expansion,” Gus Wenner, Wenner Media’s head of digital, said in a statement.

“We see an enormous opportunity to diversify the brand into new markets and new areas of business.”

Music and pop culture magazine Rolling Stone was founded in 1967 by Gus Wenner’s father, Jann S. Wenner, and Ralph Gleason with a $7,500 loan from friends and family. AFP

Oil, gas and coal reserves will crush climate change goals—report

By Marlowe Hood OXFORD United Kingdom— Developed oil, gas and coal reserves, if exhausted, are enough to push Earth well past the threshold for dangerous climate change, according to a report published Thursday.

Fossil fuels from active fields and mines allowed to operate through their projected lifetimes would punch through the two degree Celsius cap for global warming laid down in the Paris Agreement, said the report, based on industry data.

The analysis by Oil Change International was released the day after world leaders gathered in New York to speed the global climate pact, signed by 195 nations in December, into force.

That is likely to happen before the end of the year, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday.

As climate change impacts— heat waves, deadly flooding, storm surges fueled by rising seas—hit earlier and harder than predicted, pressure has grown to accelerate the transition away from carbon-intensive fossil fuels.

The coal industry has been hit

hardest, with moratoriums on new plants put in place this year in China and Indonesia, along with one covering federal land in the United States.

The Paris Agreement calls for holding global warming at “well below” two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to pre-Industrial Revolution levels, and under 1.5 C (2.7 F) if possible.

Existing reserves of oil and gas alone, even without coal, would be enough to breach the 1.5 C barrier, according to the 60-page report.

“If the world is serious about achieving the goals agreed in Paris, governments have to stop the expansion of the fossil fuel industry,” said Stephen Kretzmann, executive director of Oil Change International.

Many of 200 climate scientists gathered in Oxford, England this week at a conference on the more stringent climate change goal have said that staying under 1.5 C may be out of reach.

An incentive to continue The planet has already heated up 1.0 C (1.8 F), and could see its first year above 1.5 C “within a decade,” said Richard Betts, head of climate impacts research at

the Met Office Hadley Centre in England.

The new analysis compares the projected emissions of burning fossil fuels from current operations to the carbon “budget”—the sum total of CO2 that can be emitted without exceeding the 2C limit.

Scientists calculate that budget to be less than 1,000 billion tons of CO2.

Previous studies of these limits have focused more on the consumption of oil, gas and coal rather than the potential for supply.

“Once an extraction operation is underway, it creates an incentive to continue so as to recoup investment and create profits,” Greg Muttitt, lead author of the report, said.

This is how carbon emissions get “locked in,” he added.

Projected investment in new fields, mines and transportation infrastructure over the next 20 years is $14 trillion (12.5 trillion euros), according to industry figures.

Some of the biggest projects in the pipeline are in the United States, Canada, Australia, India, Russia, Qatar and Iran.

For coal—the dirtiest, or most carbon-polluting, of the major

fossil fuels—two countries, Australia and India, are moving forward with large-scale new mining development.

In 2015, India set a target of tripling national coal extraction to 1.5 billion tons per year by 2020,

though some commentators say the country will be hard put to reach that goal.

Historically, India has not been a major contributor to climate change, and even today its population—on a per capita basis—

produces far less carbon pollution than Western nations, or even China.

The report’s findings were based on data from Rystad Energy, a leading oil and gas consultancy. AFP

MELTING ICE. This NASA Earth Observatory image obtained September 22, 2016 show some glaciers observed from the HU-25A Guardian aircraft on September 2, 2016, showing the Brückner and Heim glaciers where they flow into Johan Petersen Fjord in southeastern Greenland. Greenland’s highly unstable ice sheet is melting more than seven percent faster than previously thought, scientists said this week after discovering a hotspot beneath the Earth’s crust that was distorting their calculations. The study in the journal Science Advances raises concern about the increasing impact of melting ice on sea level rise, since Greenland is the second largest ice sheet in the world after the one in Antarctica. AFP

LGUs

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

C1

GETAWAY. Shape, color and texture interface in this photo of Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte. John Paolo Bencito

Loren pushes higher SSF

By Macon-Ramos Araneta THE trade department should assist small businessmen through product development, product quality, good management, labeling and marketing through their personnel assigned in the provinces, said Senator Loren Legarda, chairman of the Senate committee on finance during the hearing on the agency’s 2017 budget.

To enable the DTI to provide these services, Legarda proposed amendments to the 2017 National Budget for Shared Service Facilities (SSF) project capital outlay to help MSMEs in the poorest regions. The DTI was asked to calculate the required amount, based on the needs of the 20 poorest provinces in the Philippines.

The SSF. a major component of the micro, small and medium enterprises development program of the DTI, improves their competitiveness by providing them with machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills and knowledge under a shared system.

“I want you to look deeper into the situation and find ways on how we can reach the bottom of the pyramid— those who are not capable of joining trade fairs and those who have skills and indigenous resources but are unable to register or acquire the usual permits—so we can open up more opportunities for them,” the senator said.

To empower the country’s poorest, she encouraged DTI to mandate all its regional offices to take a more proactive approach by giving entrepreneurship and livelihood training in enhancing the value of each town’s products and the competitiveness of rural enterprise.

Parking banned on Quezon Boulevard A

FTER Rizal Avenue, Quezon Boulevard is the next no-parking zone in Manila.

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada said any illegally parked vehicles would be immediately towed away.

“Quezon Boulevard is a vital thoroughfare leading to Quiapo Church.

For the convenience of the Nazarene devotees, as well as the thousands of people doing business in Quiapo, I have decided to also ban parking along this critical highway,” Estrada said.

“All it’ll take from them is a little discipline. We need to get the cooperation of everybody if we want to bring

back order in our streets,” he added.

Estrada ordered Dennis Alcoreza, chief of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, to enforce the ban.

Alcoreza formed Task Force Quezon Boulevard to go after motorists that park along the roadway and the barkers who collect illegal parking fees.

Originally built in 1939 as a six- to 10-lane road, Quezon Boulevard starts

from Lerma Street in Sampaloc and stretches up to Quezon Bridge and Palanca Street.

It passes through Manila’s major landmarks such as Quiapo Church, Plaza Miranda, Quinta Market, and the popular Raon Street, dubbed as the country’s “electronics capital.”

Alcoreza called on barangay officials

‘100 scholars in each brgy’

By Dexter A. See

GENERATION NEXT. The rice terraces cluster in Barangay Bangaan, Banaue was inscribed in the Unesco World Heritage List in December 1995 as a Living Cultural Landscape that deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity. Teddy Pelaez

SM City Baguio to add 652 mall parking slots

By Dexter A. See THE Baguio City Police (BCPO) said an additional pay parking facility in SM City Baguio mall will ease traffic congestion in the central business district and provide more space for the mall’s customers.

Senior Supt. George Daskeo, BCPO city director, said the additional 652 parking slots under the mall expansion project will free several kilometres of road from illegally parked vehicles and will help his office handle the increasing volume of vehicles in the city on week-

ends and holidays.

“More visitors will come because they are assured of parking areas,” Daskeo stressed.

The mall’s carpark now accommodates 771 vehicles. When 652 slots are added when the mall is expanded, the carpark

will serve 1,423 cars.

The BCPO chief said the city needs multi-level parking spaces that enable motorists to park their vehicles and walk to their destinations while enjoying the cool weather.

It will also force law enforcers to strictly ban parking on roads

to improve traffic flow.

The mall expansion will be completed in three years.

Daskea said the mall entrance on Gov. Pack road will help reduc the traffic on Session road because mall goers will have an alternate route when parking their vehicles.

DoH, Globe try text blast vs antibiotic misuse

THE Department of Health launched a new way of warning the public against taking antibiotics not prescribed by physicians, with the help of the National Telecommunications Commission and Globe Telecom.

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The department is sending text advisories on the possible harm of such misuse.

The message is sent in Filipino.

Translated, it runs: “Do you borrow other people’s prescription to buy antibiotics when you

do not feel well? Frequent taking of antibiotics not prescribed by doctors will make the antibiotics lose its efficacy against infections and even cause death.”

The DoH said the sick must see a doctor and get their own

prescription.

The World Health Organization noted that misuse and abuse of antibiotics can lead to anti-microbial resistance (AMR) that opposes the prevention and treatment of infections caused

by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi.

The DoH also spreads awareness of the dangers of unprescribed antibiotics through its Facebook posts and videos. PNA

BAGUIO CITY—The government is earmarking more than P60 billion annually starting 2018 to support at least 100 technical-vocational (tech-voc) scholars in every barangay in the country, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Deputy DirectorGeneral Diosdado Padilla said here recently.

Padilla revealed the agency will provide up to 200 qualified scholars per barangay with marketable skills.

“We have asked our local officials to be ready for the Barangay Kasanayan para sa Kaunlaran at Kapayapan program of the administration. We screen prospective scholars and refer them to the nearest technical-vocational education institutions,” Padilla stressed.

Padilla said data from the different regional consultations will be processed, evaluated and assessed by the Tesda leaders who will decide the direction of TVET in the next six years.

He said that while Tesda has to stick to the budget for its programs and projects next year it will make sure that the P60 billion fund for scholars from over 42,000 barangays will be incorporated in the 2018 national budget.

Tesda regional and provincial offices are now skills mapping in the different barangays to pinpoint the areas where they will give training.

Padilla urged prospective scholars to visit the nearest Tesda regional and provincial offices and choose the training program that will best develop their skills.

C2

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

LGUs

‘Check labels of air fresheners’ T

HE Food and Drug Administration on Sunday warned the public anew on the use of air fresheners that have been found to be non-compliant with government standards.

The warning was contained six air fresheners being sold in in the FDA Advisory 2016- the local market.

109 which cautions consumers The advisory signed by against the purchase and use of FDA officer-in-charge Maria

Lourdes Santiago said these products are: Die Zhuang Jasmine Perfume Air Freshener 470ml Green Pressurized Can; Die Zhuang Lemon Perfume Air Freshener 470-milliliter Yellow Pressurized Can; Stick On-Car Air Freshener Lavender 35-gram Plastic Jar; Wanjia Air Freshener Lemon 2x60gram Yellow Plastic Jar En-

closed in Cardboard Packaging Material; Wanjia Air Freshener Jasmine 60-gram Plastic Jar With Green Cap; and Wanjia Air Freshener Lavender 60gram Purple Plastic Jar. The FDA is an attached agency of the Department of Health.

Santiago said the six air fresheners have no clear instructions, warnings or precautions indicat-

ed in their labels.

Normally, labels of such products should include the words “DANGER,” “WARNING,” “Do not take internally,” “Use only in a well-ventilated area,” and “Avoid breathing dust (or vapor).”

The agency ordered all of its field regulatory operations offices to monitor the manufacture, importation, exportation,

distribution, sale, offer for sale, transportation, promotion and/or advertisement of the said products and take action against offenders.

It also ordered inventory and sealing of all of the aforesaid products on the market, and to seize them in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations. PNA

Millennial succeeds as insurance agent AN INSURANCE company is inviting new graduates to widen their job options by including a career in life insurance.

Insular Life said it wants to optimize the energy and enthusiasm of millennials by offering working arrangements beyond the nine to five grind.

The insurance firm cited its employee Ysabel Victoria Benitez whose youthful drive took a wrong turn and burned out at 23.

Ysa had high hopes when she joined the corporate world.

From a young age, her dreams were crystal clear. “I wanted a three-bedroom house with a two-car garage in Pasig or Quezon City. I want to travel once or twice a year. I want to get married at age 30,” she said.

But after less than five years of working long hours, she found herself face-fallen and dreading the future.

“When I looked at my dream board, when I look at the things I want to achieve and the salary I’m getting every single cut-off, I knew, that it would take me years and years and years to actualize them,” she said.

Eventually, her restlessness grew and compelled her to explore other career options.

Luckily, she didn’t have to look far; her mom, Elvie Benitez,

provided her a life’s worth of reasons why an insurance career is the best choice.

“My mother is a single mom.

Life insurance has been her bread and butter. Imagine all three of us siblings went to private schools and we were wanting in nothing. On Sundays, we even eat out in nice restaurants.

The life insurance business is very generous to its agents,” the younger Benitez said.

She added that her respect from her mom’s career grew from years of experiencing the honesty, sincerity and real impact of the insurance business on the lives of its partners.

In less than three years in Insular Life, Benitez earned her qualification to the Million Dollar Round Table, an elite organization of the top five percent of the world’s financial advisors.

Now at 27, is living her life goals.

Joining other top-performing financial advisors, she has taken part in the annual conventions hosted in Toronto and New Orleans.

Insular Life said Benitez is just one of their young success stories. It said the playing field is wide, level and fruitful enough for millennials to sow their dreams in. Edgardo S. Tugade

Pangasinan hosts POGI sportsfest

By Dexter A. See LINGAYEN—Seven teams will compete in the Pagalaw tan Olupan ed Gobyerno Itanduro (POGI) 2016, a sports festival to be hosted by the Pangasinan Capitol from October to December.

Provincial sports consultant Modesto Operania said the POGI sportsfest conceptualized by Gov. Amado “Pogi” Espino III is a continuation of the Angguan Tan Ehersisyo (ATE) sports fest launched by his predecessor, former Pangasinan governor and now 5th district Rep. Amado Espino Jr. Operania said the Pagalaw tan Olopan culminates the fitness, wellness and health programs for Capitol employees.

Seven teams of clustered offices, departments, hospitals and agri-field stations of the provincial government will join lawn tennis, table tennis, badminton, basketball, volleyball, tug of war, chess, fun run and track events.

Muses representing the seven teams will also vie for the Miss POGI pageant to be held right after the opening ceremonies, together with the cheerdance competition.

The violet financiers team members are the assessor’s office, accounting office, treasury office, budget office, library, legal office, veterinary office, agri-

Parking...

From C1

to refrain from tolerating illegal parking by collecting fees from vehicle owners.

He said he has received reports that some barangay officials in the city are working in cahoots with Tokagawa Global Corp., a private firm that won a questionable parking management contract with former Manila mayor Afredo Lim. “We even heard that some barangays and Tokagawa have been fighting over their

culture office, social welfare and development office, Civil Service Commission office, prosecutor’s office, Tesda office, Commission on Audit office, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples office and Environment and Natural Resources office.

The orange Generals team includes the general services office—administrative division, property division, building maintenance, Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center and buildings, parks and security support services division.

The blue Builders team comes from the engineering office and public utility and waterworks.

The yellow Warriors team gathers the governor’s office, management information services office, warden’s office, human resource management and development office, housing and urban development office, special events, disaster risk reduction and management office, employment services office, Capitol Resort hotel, tourism and cultural affairs office, planning and development office, information office, bids and awards committee.

The black Benchmark team members are from Pangasinan Provincial Hospital, Western Pangasinan and Mangatarem District Hospitals; and community hospitals in Dasol and Bolinao. parking fee collections,” Alcoreza said.

The 25-year deal that Estrada wants nullified allows Tokagawa to charge parking fees to motorists in designated areas.

But only 20 percent of the proceeds go to the city, a scheme that the Commission on Audit said was “disadvantageous” to the government.

During a clearing operation in Rizal Avenue on September 15, 30 tricycles, five motorcycles, 15 light vehicles and two “kuligligs” or motorized pedicabs were towed away by MTPB traffic enforcers.

BOTTLED. Filipino artists paint their masterpieces on a 10-foot wine bottle installations, one of the main attractions at Venice Grand Canal’s Wine Festival in Taguig City. Danny Pata

Meralco, SMC rehabilitate power co-op

By Manilyn B. Ugalde LEGAZPI CITY—The Manila Electric Co. and San Miguel Corp.’s Albay Power and Energy Corp. (Apec) will rehabilitate the ailing Albay Electric Cooperative (Aleco), which was privatized in January 2014.

Meralco will disconnect erring Aleco consumers with delinquent accounts and the more than 30,000 not in the data base.

The power distributor will also clear and improve power lines.

When Apec took over in 2014, it inherited Aleco ‘s P4-billion debt, which has risen to P5.6 billion. The principal amount has yet to be settled by Apec, according to officials of the Aleco Employees Organization.

A dismal 50-percent collection efficiency and more than 30-per-

cent systems loss greatly hampered Apec efforts to rehabilitate Aleco and provide the great power service San Miguel promised after a year in operation.

SMC then reassigned Apec general manager Manuel Imperial to Manila, Aleco interim board member Magen del Rosario said. Imperial was the second Apec general manager dispatched to Bicol after his predecessor Alan Marchan from Manila was declared a persona non grata by the Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The interim board, created by the National Electrification Administration in 2013 to formulate the Aleco privatization laws, is headed by Legazpi Bishop Joseph Baylon. It represents Aleco interest in Apec.

Del Rosario said Meralco

joined Apec on September 4 and three new SMC men were brought in the Albay firm—retired NEA deputy administrator Edgar Piamonte, who will manage Apec district 2, and retired Meralco engineer Carlos Larosa, who will head Apec district 1 and 3. The other new face in Apec is retired National Power Corp. spokesman and former Tiwi mayor Patricia Gutierrez who will serve as Apec spokesman.

Last month, Imperial confirmed that SMC was asking Meralco to be the service provider in Albay after Apec’s rehabilitation that the Aleco employees union rejected, failed.

Many of the workers were dismissed from service months before Apec took over in 2014. Some 70 of the dismissed Aleco employees, however, won a return to

work order from the secretary of labor in February 2014 but Apec refused to readmit them.

Equipped with the RTWO, the dismissed employees provided free services by reconnecting disconnected consumer lines without Apec’s knowledge and consent.

Imperial admitted that Apec’s collection efficiency was sabotaged by the RTWO, the holders of which asked consumers to stop paying for their electricity.

He said that when the Aleco turned over documents and data base to Apec, the names of some 180,000 of the 225,000 Aleco consumers were missing in the data base. Thus, Apec could not collect payment as it could not send bills except to some 40,000 consumers in the data base, Imperial said.

Drug war needs LGU help

By Romeo Dizon

FUMIGATION. The Bureau of Quarantine sprays the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 to kill insects carrying dengue and Zika viruses. Eric Apolonio

CAMP OLIVAS—Policemen who continue to engage in illegal drug activities and uncooperative barangay captains are the main stumbling block to the success of the government’s campaign in Central Luzon, Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 3.

Aquino said they reassigned about 100 policemen to Mindanao and others are facing criminal and administrative charges before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) after they tested positive for drugs.

Six laboratories were recently raided by the police authorities with minimal help from the local officials, he said.

From July to September 2016, some 13,500 users surrendered and 200 others were killed during operations. About 200 grams of shabu, 27.17 grams of marijuana and 64 guns of various calibers.

Operatives of the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and other agencies fighting drug abuse also raided shabu laboratories in Pampanga--three in Angeles City, one in Magalang, one in San Fernando City (where P2 billion worth of shabu was stored) and he biggest of them all in Arayat. A floating shabu lab was raided in Subic.

World

Manila

Standard

TODAY

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

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Taliban chief, 10 others killed

P

ESHAWAR—Afghan security forces have killed one of the top Pakistani Taliban commanders along with at least 10 other militants in a border area operation, sources said Sunday.

Raeas Khan, also known as Azam Khan Tariq, had a 20 million rupee ($190,740) bounty on his head and was the fourth-highest ranking commander in the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“I confirm the killing of Azam Tariq along with at least 10 other Pakistani Taliban in Paktika province,” a senior commander loyal to Tariq told Agence France Presse, requesting anonymity.

The nature of the operation was unclear, but three sources in the militant group said Tariq and his associates were killed in the Laman area of the Afghan province, which is near Pakistan’s South Waziristan region.

Tariq worked as chief TTP spokesman from 2009 until 2013 and was a close aide to former TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone strike in Pakistan in 2013.

In 2009 the Pakistani government offered $5 million for information leading to the capture of TTP commanders.

Tariq was top of the list as three other commanders had been killed -- either in US drone strikes or in Pakistani military operations.

He had been working as spokesman for the Mehsud faction of the TTP prior to his death.

Pakistan has demanded that Kabul hand over fugitive TTP chief Maulana Fazlullah, who is reportedly hiding in eastern Afghanistan.

Both nations have accused each other of allowing militants to shelter in the border regions and launch bloody attacks that threaten regional stability. AFP

MAKING A POINT. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gestures as he delivers a policy speech at the plenary session of the lower house of parliament in Tokyo on Monday. AFP

‘Poetry can save Arab world’ Yemen GOTHENBURG—Noted Syrian poet Adonis, whose name surfaces regularly as a top contender for the Nobel literature prize, says religious fanaticism is “destroying the heart of the Arab world,” but sees salvation in poetry.

The 86-year-old lives in exile and is equally scathing about the West’s role in the conflict in his homeland which has claimed more than 300,000 lives over five years.

“The Americans are not looking for solutions, they are seeking problems,” he told Agence France Presse in an interview at the Gothenburg Book Fair.

“The Americans do not have a coherent vision. Neither do the Russians, who are only driven by self-interest. The Arab world is strategic, an area of riches and the Arab people are just a means,” to oil wealth, he said

The poet, who is Alawite, the sect to which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad belongs, wrote to the leader in 2011 calling for a democratic transition.

Now he sees hope in poetry.

“Poetry cannot slit a child’s throat, nor kill a man or destroy a museum,” said Adonis, whose real name is Ali Ahmad Saïd Esber.

Calling for a separation between the state and religion, he said poets could play an important role in bringing this about.

“Arab poetry has always been against God,” he said. There are no great poets in our history who were great believers like for example (Paul) Claudel in France.”

“The future lies in secularism,” he said. “I had said one cannot stage a secular revolution with people emerging from the mosque to demonstrate. A revoution is one

thing and the mosque another.”

Adonis said poetry would never be stifled.

“As long as death is there -- and death exists -- there will be poetry,” he said. “Poetry will never be silenced.”

Adonis, who is also an acclaimed critic, painter and essayist, moved to Paris in 1985 and has been named a Commander of France’s Order of Arts and Letters.

He was Ladbroke’s favorite as Nobel Literature Prize winner in the year of the Arab Spring in 2011.

His name frequently comes up in the annual run-up to the top literary award but it has eluded him so far.

Born to a farming family and with no formal schooling in his early years, Adonis has come a long way from the poor western Syrian village where he spent his early years. AFP

TAKEOFF. Indian residents photograph the launch of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Polar

Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C35), carrying equipment which will be used to monitor oceans and weather at Sriharikota in the state of Andhra Pradesh on Monday. AFP

Nokor jets launch—fireworks NOW here’s something you don’t see every day: an F-16 fighter jet buzzing through the skies of North Korea and launching — fireworks.

The plane roaring over people’s heads at the country’s first air show Sunday was actually a remote-controlled mock-up of the fabled US Air Force fighter.

The scale models of the F-16 and a Chinese J-10 fighter were featured on the second day of the Wonsan International Friendship Air Festival.

The choice of flying a one-sixth scale F-16 at the show was an odd one considering the outrage North Korea regularly expresses over the presence of U.S. troops and Air Force bases in South Korea.

The North was particularly outraged over recent flights by B-1B Lancer bombers, which are capable of dropping nuclear weapons, near the Demilitarized Zone that divides the Koreas in a display of power after the North’s fifth nuclear test, conducted Sept. 9.

The model fighters did, however, appear to please the crowd watching the air displays at Wonsan’s newly renovated Kalma Airport.

Thousands of North Koreans and hundreds of foreign tourists and journalists invited to the event — which is intended to showcase Wonsan’s tourism appeal — were given a rare glimpse of North Korea’s own air force fighters, including a MiG-29 and SU-25 ground attack fighter, acquired

from Russia.

“This plane is faster than other airplanes and can maneuver quickly, so there is little time to think, you must make fast decisions,” Rim Sol, a MiG-21 pilot said, standing beside her fighter on the tarmac.

The Wonsan airport was long used by the North’s military but was upgraded and rebuilt to handle commercial flights, though it is unclear how it would fit into national flag-carrier Air Koryo’s very limited international flight schedule.

The final day also included a demonstration of military parachuting, with the first two skydivers descending with huge North Korean and ruling party flags.

Bloomberg

rebels call for truce with Saudi SANAA—A leader of Yemen’s Shiite Huthi rebels on Sunday proposed a truce on the country’s border with Saudi Arabia in an exchange for a halt in Saudi-led strikes on his forces.

The proposal, coinciding with a surge in fighting after peace talks were suspended last month, was made by Salah alSammad, head of a new council appointed by the rebels and their allies to run the country.

Sammad called on Saudi Arabia to “stop naval, air and land aggression, cease air raids and lift the blockade of our country, in exchange for an end to combat operations on the border and to (rebel) missile launches into Saudi territory,” he said, in a speech published on the sabanews website.

Sammad, whose body is not recognised by the international community, also urged the UN and “peace-loving states” to exert pressure on the Saudi regime to accept the offer.

He also suggested an amnesty for “combatants who have sided with the aggression,” a reference to fighters who back President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

The Huthis are allied with soldiers loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

In late 2014 they seized Yemen’s capital Sanaa before moving into other parts of the country.

Saudi Arabia in March 2015 formed an Arab coalition to begin air strikes and ground support for forces loyal to Hadi, who fled to Riyadh.

More than 6,600 people have been killed since the coalition launched its intervention, most of them civilians, and at least three million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations.

The latest round of UN-led talks between the government and the Huthis ended acrimoniously on August 6 without a breakthrough and a ceasefire that had been in place since April collapsed.

Hadi, in a fierce address to the UN in New York on Friday, accused of Iran of blocking peace moves through its support for the rebels.

“We shall extract Yemen from the claws of Iran. We shall raise the Yemeni flag over every foot of our precious soil,” Hadi told the General Assembly. AFP

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TARIFF COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Pursuant to Sections 1608/1609 of Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), the Tariff Commission will conduct a public hearing on the request of Trenton Marketing Corporation and SBS Philippines Corporation for the elimination of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) rates of duty on Sodium Tripolyphosphate, falling under 2012 ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN) Codes 2835.31.10 and 2835.31.90, and Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, under 2012 AHTN Code 2835.39.10.

Interested parties shall be afforded reasonable opportunity to be present, to produce evidence,and to be heard.

The hearing will be held on 06 October 2016 (Wednesday), 2:00 P.M., at the Tariff Commission Conference Room, 5th Floor Philippine Heart Center Building, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.

For particulars, please inquire from the Research, Investigation and International Trade Analysis Service (RIITAS) at telephone numbers 9268731 or 9288419.

Issued this 23rd day of September 2016, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

MARILOU P. MENDOZA Officer-In-Charge (MS- SEPT. 27, 2016)

University of the Philippines Manila The Health Sciences Center BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE 3 2nd Floor, Joaquin Gonzales Hall, Interactive Learning Center (ILC) Room University of the Philippines Manila P. Faura St. corner Ma. Orosa St., Manila Telefax # 525-43-22 / 526-22-75

INVITATION TO BID 1.

The University of the Philippines Manila through its Bids and Awards Committee III (BAC 3), invites suppliers/manufacturer/distributors/ contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder projects:

Name of Project:

Supply of Various IT Equipment

Requesting Unit/Location:

College of Public Health

Approved Budget for the Contract:

Php4,019,900.00

Bid Documents

Php5,000.00

Contract Duration:

120 days

PR No.:

CPH2016_018

Source of Fund:

Reprogram Fund/ IOB

2.

Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last two (2) years with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Postqualification of the lowest calculated responsive bid shall be conducted.

3.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, PostQualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR).

4.

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Activities Issuance of Bid Documents Pre-bid Conference Opening of Bids Bid Evaluation Post-qualification

Schedule Starting September 27, 2016 October 4, 2016 – 1:30 p.m.

October 18, 2016 – 1:30 p.m.

Within two (2) weeks after the opening Within one (1) week after the bid evaluation Issuance of Notice of Award Seven (7) days after Post-qualification

5.

Bid Documents will be made available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount stated above for each project to the U.P. Manila Cashier’s Office.

6.

UP Manila assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid.

7.

The University of the Philippines Manila reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any formality or defects therein, or to accept such as may be considered most advantageous to UP Manila.

8.

All inquiries shall be directed to the BAC III Secretariat at tel. no. 525-4322 / 526-2275. This is also posted at the UP Manila Official Web: http://www. upm.edu.ph/procurement.

(SGD) DR. TRISTAN NATHANIEL C. RAMOS Chair, Bids and Awards Committee III

(SGD) ARLENE A. SAMANIEGO, M.D. Vice-Chancellor For Administration MS-SEPT. 27, 2016)

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

World

ROYALS. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau accompany Prince William the Duke of Cambridge and Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge to tour the Immigrant Services Society’s new Welcome Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia on Sunday. AFP

Clinton wins NY Times support THE New York Times endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for president, saying the Democrat’s “record of service and a raft of pragmatic ideas” represent the best choice to tackle the challenges the U.S. faces.

“Running down the other guy won’t suffice to make that argument. The best case for Hillary Clinton cannot be, and is not, that she isn’t Donald Trump,” the newspaper said in an editorial for Sunday’s newspaper that was published online today.

The endorsement, while not a surprise for a publication that last supported a Republican for president in 1956, comes two days before Clinton and Trump face off in the first of three planned presidential debates, and as early voting is already under way in some states.

Clinton’s “occasional missteps” have distorted perceptions of her character and her status as “one of the most tenacious politicians of her generation,” the newspaper said of the former U.S. senator from New York and first lady.

By contrast, Republican nominee Trump “discloses nothing concrete about himself or his plans while promising the moon and offering the stars on layaway,” the Times wrote.

Polls show the race to succeed President Barack Obama is tight.

A RealClearPolitics average of recent surveys shows Clinton up by three percentage points, 46.2 percent to 43.2 percent for Trump.

In a four-way race which also includes Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson and the Green Party’s Jill Stein, Clinton leads by 2.3 percentage points.

The newspaper, while assessing Clinton on her own merits, said it would explain in a subsequent editorial “why we believe Mr. Trump to be the worst nominee put forward by a major party in modern American history.” Bloomberg

UN brokers Cyprus peace

U

NITED NATIONS—UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon pledged Sunday to play a greater role in stepped-up efforts to reach a deal on settling the decades-old conflict in Cyprus before the end of the year.

Following a meeting with the leaders of the divided island, Ban praised the two men for their decision to intensify negotiations with a view to reaching a deal on reunifying the island in 2016.

“The leaders asked me to step up my personal engagement in the process,” Ban told reporters

following a trilateral meeting.

“I stand ready to support them in whatever they may require, including on the international dimensions of the issue.”

The division between Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities is one of the world’s thorniest and longest-running diplomatic

problems, and has defied repeated efforts at a solution.

The United Nations relaunched talks in May 2015 in what is seen as the best chance yet to end four decades of division.

The Mediterranean island has been divided since an Athensinspired coup in 1974 triggered a Turkish invasion of the north.

The division has been a major hurdle in Turkey’s aspirations to join the European Union.

“The period ahead will be crucial for Cyprus,” Ban said following his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and Cyprus

President Nicos Anastasiades.

“Time is of the essence. The United Nations and I will do our utmost to promote a successful outcome,” he pledged.

Ban has said he would like to see a final settlement of the Cyprus conflict before he steps down as UN chief on December 31.

After meeting with Ban on Saturday, Akinci said he expected a “road map” to be agreed during the trilateral meeting to turn recent progress in the talks into a “real success story.”

Anastasiades told the UN General Assembly on Thursday that a

settlement to the decades-old conflict would provide a “beacon of hope” that even the world’s most intractable problems can be resolved.

Negotiations have centered on creating a new bi-communal Cyprus federation, but there have been differences over the issues of property and territorial adjustments that could see a number of Turkish Cypriots displaced from their homes.

The issues of how many people will be allowed to return to their former homes and how many will receive financial compensation are also huge stumbling blocks.

The costs of compensation are estimated to run to billions of euros (dollars) and the financial aspects of the agreement are said to be among the issues on the table during the talks in New York.

Any agreement the two leaders reach will have to be put to simultaneous referendums on either side of the island.

A previous peace deal brokered by then-UN chief Kofi Annan in 2004 was backed by a significant majority of Turkish Cypriot voters but overwhelmingly rejected by their Greek Cypriot counterparts.

AFP

Rosetta Melting snow shows ends space former US base waste mission PARIS—European spacecraft Rosetta will end its mission on September 30 after travelling almost seven billion kilometers (4.4 billion miles) to probe the secrets of comets, with help from a high-tech robot named Philae.

The 1.4-billion-euro ($1.6-billion) project has spanned 23 years and involved 14 European countries, as well as the United States.

Rosetta and Philae blasted off from the Kourou launch center in March 2004, the culmination of a ten-year development programme by the European Space Agency (ESA).

The goal of the mission was nothing less than probing the origins of life by analysing dust from a comet called 67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimenko, a time capsule from the birth of our solar system.

In the comet’s orbit for more than two years, Rosetta sniffed, tasted and photographed the comet from all angles.

And it released Philae, the size and shape of a washing machine, onto the surface to analyse elements and send data to Rosetta for relay back to Earth.

Rosetta used the gravity of Earth and Mars to slingshot four times -- in a game of cosmic billiards -- towards the Sun. AFP

COPENHAGEN—A snowcovered former US army base in Greenland -- dubbed “a city under ice” -- could leak pollutants into the environment as the climate changes, raising difficult questions over who is responsible for a clean-up.

In 1959, US army engineers began constructing a futuristic project in northwestern Greenland that might as well have been lifted from a Cold War spy movie.

A network of tunnels under the snow contained everything from research facilities to a hospital, a cinema and a church -- all powered by a small, portable nuclear reactor.

The pollutants left behind include polychlorinated biphenyls used in building supplies, tanks of raw sewage and low-level radioactive coolant used in the nuclear reactor that once stood there.

“When the waste was deposited there nobody thought it would get out again,” William Colgan, an assistant professor in the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University in Canada, told Agence France Presse.

But a study led by Colgan, published in August in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, found that higher temperatures could eventually result in toxic waste from the base being released into the environment.

“Neither the US or Denmark has done anything wrong per se, but the world has changed,” he said.

Accommodating up to 200 soldiers, “Camp Century” was officially built to provide a laboratory for Arctic research projects, but it was also home to a secret US effort to deploy nuclear missiles.

Code-named “Project Iceworm,” that part of the operation was never mentioned in the treaty between the US and Denmark, once the colonial master of Greenland, a territory that is now largely self-governing.

But the spectacular project -which even included a test railway under the snow -- was never fully realised.

Three years later scientists found that the glacier was shifting much faster than previously thought, threatening to crush the tunnels, and the base was abandoned in 1967.

Assuming the site would remain frozen in perpetuity, the US army removed the nuclear reactor but allowed waste -- equivalent to the mass of 30 Airbus A320 airplanes -- to be entombed under the snow.

Half a century later that decision is being questioned as temperatures in the Arctic rise at a higher pace than in the rest of the world. AFP

FRIENDSHIP PARK. A man and his dog run near the U.S.-Mexico border fence on Sunday in Tijuana,

Mexico. AFP

Milan stores uphold elitist fashion MILAN—Social media are being credited with democratizing the landscape of fashion in London and New York.

But in Milan’s swankiest shopping street, an end to the industry’s ingrained elitism, with its invitation-only events and cosy tribalism, still seems a long way off.

Via Montenapoleone, home to the flagship stores of the cream of Italian design, is where the conceptual currency of the catwalks is converted into hard cash.

And in its glittering stores, platinum credit cards will keep the cash tills ringing long after the

fashionistas have decamped to the next catwalk fest in Paris.

Window-shopping with a friend, local Lila Sciacca says few in the city would dispute the economic benefits of fashion week: 48 million euros ($54 million) was City Hall’s estimate of the revenues driven by the last bash.

An amateur dressmaker, Sciacca is one of millions of fashion fans who stream live webcasts of the catwalk shows to digital devices.

But the exclusivity of the shows still rankles.

“At the shows it is always the

same cast of people,” she told Agence France Presse. “If you are not an insider or in the business, you have to be connected.

“And let’s be frank, how many people can actually afford these clothes we are talking about when every day is a struggle to survive?”

Also grumbling over fashion’s exclusive reflexes is Milan’s new mayor, Giuseppe Sala.

The organizer of last year’s successful World Expo, Sala recently told fashion chiefs that, “in terms of participation, there is much more than can be done.” AFP

Life ARTS, CULTURE & MEDIA

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

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Araceli Limcaco Dans explores

‘Ang Mundo ni Inay’

Dumadaan ang Parada (2016), acrylic on paper clay sculpture

A

CCLAIMED visual artist Araceli Limcaco Dans embarks on a new exhibit entitled Ang Mundo ni Inay. Dans is best known for her delicate calado paintings in watercolor and acrylic, which Leonor Orosa Goquinco (National Artist of the Philippines for Creative Dance) described as “perfection (in) itself, the epitome of elegance.” In her latest exhibit, she places a spotlight on a timeless subject—motherhood—and focuses on the variety of experiences of the Filipino mother. Ang Mundo ni Inay breathes new life into the world of motherhood in the Philippines.

For the first time, Dans plunges her hands into the world of paper clay sculptures, crafting and painting her figurines using discarded newspaper and glue. These humble materials become the source of her inspiration in creating masterful works such as “Sa Dibdib ni Inay” which took over 9,000 sheets of old newsprint to create, and “Pamilya sa Bundok” which required over 6,000 sheets. She also rendered sculptures in order to further illuminate the diversity of the Filipino family.

Part of the proceeds from the exhibit will benefit the Sagip-Buhay Medical Foundation, Inc., which conducts fundraising activities to help indigent patients receive medication and undergo diagnostic work that can help determine the proper course of treatment. The exhibit is co-sponsored by the University of the Philippines’ (UP) Sigma Delta Phi Alumnae Association.

A graduate of the UP Fine Arts program and a seasoned artist with over 70 years of experience in art making, Dans has held more than 160 exhibits both local and abroad. A multi-awarded artist, she has received a roster of recognitions such as: the Centennial Award for Painting and Art Education from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Mariang Maya Award for Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts and the Art Distinction Award for Painting and Art Education from the City of Manila, among others.

Furthermore, she has been honored by the UP and Philippine Women’s University

Araw ng Linggo (2016), acrylic on paper clay sculpture

alumni associations for her contributions in the field of visual art and art education. Unknown to some, Dans established the Arts Education Program of the Ateneo de Manila Grade School, as well as the College of Fine Arts of the Philippine Women’s University.

She has also served as the President of the UP College of Fine Arts Alumni Association.

“Ang Mundo ni Inay” was launched to the public on Sept. 22 at ArtistSpace of the Ayala Museum. The exhibit will run until Oct. 4.

Rita Angela Winder as The Firebird (left) with costume designer Mark Lewis Higgins

‘The Firebird’

costume exhibit tours SM premier malls

MALL visitors have the rare opportunity to see up close the intricacy and craftsmanship of the costumes designed for Ballet Philippines’ celebrated Firebird and other ballets in an exhibit at SM’s premier malls.

A project of Ballet Philippines, the country’s flagship classical and contemporary dance company, and the SM’s premier malls, the exhibit showcases how Georgian born choreographer George Birkadze re-imagined the Russian folk tale by bringing it into the pre-Hispanic Philippine setting.

Birkaze’s Firebird is from an Asian perspective, taking inspiration from the Philippine Sarimanok and Ibong Adarna, the Chinese phoenix, and Indian peacock. Mark Lewis Higgins, co-director of Slim’s Fashion and Arts School, brought to life Birkadze’s vision of Firebird through his exquisite costume designs for the ballet.

Although primarily a painter, Mark’s diverse interest have included textile and costume design. An inherent respect for rich color, texture and drama is apparent in all his work, as his interest is both Eastern and Western history, culture and religion.

The ballet costumes by Mark take inspiration from historical documents such as the Boxer Codex, and highlight elements such gold, spices and porcelain. Students of Slim’s Fashion and Art School executed the opulent costumes made from rich fabrics like silk, velvet and brocade with embellishments like 24-carat gold leaf, pearls and semi-precious stones.

“Working with Mark Lewis Higgins was an incredible experience,” says Birkadze in his Choreographer’s Notes.

“He added historical depth to the work, and I would very much like to work with him again on future projects.”

Firebird costumes on exhibit include those of the Princess from the Land of Spices, the Pearl Merchant from the Silk Road, the Porcelain Doll Princesses, the Golden Monster Princes and the Firebird headpiece. The exhibit also includes Higgins’ Art Prints and Mark Nicdao’s photographs of the cast.

The Firebird costume exhibit road show began at SM Aura Premier and then made a stop at S Maison at the Conrad and at SM North Edsa. The costumes are currently on display at The Podium today until Oct. 2.

Araceli Dans’s acrylic on paper clay sculpture entitled Pamilya sa Bundok (2016)

Life

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Gerard Salonga now HK Philharmonic assistant conductor

By Pablo A. Tariman

T

HE Hong Kong Philharmonic’s new season opened Sept.

10-11 to a great reception at the Hong Kong Cultural Center with cello icon Yo-Yo Ma as soloist under the baton of Maestro Yu Long who also leads the China Philharmonic, Guangzhou and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.

What most Filipinos didn’t know was that the opening concert was the first assignment of Filipino conductor Gerard Salonga as the newly appointed assistant conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic along with a Hong Kong national, Vivian Ip. Salonga is still music director of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic, but during months when his services are needed, he will be in Hong Kong for his other orchestra assignment which officially started this month.

“I am humbled, honored, and really stoked!” posted Salonga on Facebook when he announced his appointment by Maestro Jaap van Zweden who is the music director of the Hong Kong orchestra.

Gerard learned about the opening in March this year while he was working with the HK Philharmonic and the Beach Boys. Some of the musicians mentioned it to him and he thought there was nothing to lose by handing in an application.

With a few hours left before the deadline, he sent in his CV and video links to the e-mail address specified. On June 13, some 170 applicants were shortlisted to four candidates, and they all went to Hong Kong for the live audition with the orchestra and the music director, Maestro van Zweden.

The audition pieces were Beethoven Symphony No. 5 and Brahms Symphony No. 1. About 10 minutes before he led the orchestra, Maestro van Zweden chose the movements—1st movement from the Beethoven, and the last from the Brahms. The audition lasted around 30 minutes. Present were the orchestra, the eminent music director and officers of the orchestra’s upper management.

After that momentous Monday audition, he got the result on a Friday

The opening of Hong Kong Philharmonic with Yo-Yo Ma as soloist was Gerard’s first assignment with the orchestra

when Raff Wilson—director of Artistic Planning—officially announced the result: he along with a young female conductor from the city named Vivian Ip were the official choices.

Salonga said the job of an assistant conductor is basically to help the main conductor in any way possible. “Things can sound quite different in the audience compared to the podium. I’m there to listen in the audience during rehearsals, and if there are any problems with balance, wrong notes, intonation that are not addressed, then I can help.

If any musicians have any questions that they don’t feel are appropriate for the rehearsal, then they can come to me.

I also have to be ready to conduct any rehearsals or performances for whatever reason.” (For the record, eminent conductors like Leonard Bernstein and Bruno Walter started as assistant conductors.) As it turned out, he got along well with the distinguished guest conductor and the soloist.

He recalled, “Maestro Yu is a very friendly humble man, which was very good to see given his stature in China. I had worked with the other soloist Wu Tong before, premiering a large piece with him and the HK Philharmonic in 2013. On the other hand, Yo-Yo Ma is just amazing. A funny moment when principal cellist Richard Bamping introduced me to him. I, of course, said that pianist Cecile Licad was a friend, and after saying ‘Of course I know Cecile,’ he even imitated her speaking style and her voice.”

On the other hand, the assistant conductor is also expected to take over if something happened to the guest conductor.

He pointed out, “That is an important

part of the job description. Yes, I prepared as if I were going to conduct the pieces myself. It turned out to be quite useful, especially whenever players needed to ask me a question. Knowing the music well also meant that I am listening in the hall with an informed ear, aware of any possible problems before they happen.”

Salonga first worked with HK Phil in 2008 for his sister Lea’s concerts with them. That moment was simply feast for his ears. “For that project, the arrangements were written by me and other Filipino arrangers, and it was glorious to hear our work performed by an orchestra of the HK Phil’s calibre. Before them, the last time I had heard a world-class orchestra was during my student days in Boston, when I would frequent the concerts of the Boston Symphony with Seiji Ozawa.

I was invited to come back after the first rehearsal, and we’ve had a great relationship since.

One memory that sticks out from that week was the orchestra shuffling their feet (their version of applause) when I told them that I didn’t want to be called ‘Maestro’ and that they should just call me Gerard.”

For him, the great part of the job was working with conductor Jaap van Zweden as his mentor.

Zweden will take over the New York Philharmonic in 2018. “Another good thing is to be a part of the Hong Kong Philharmonic which hasn’t had a Filipino member in many years, and is now one of, if not the top, orchestras in Asia.

There are also aspects like travel. I’ll be going with orchestra on the second leg of their Asian tour to Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney. I look forward

Filipino conductor Gerard Salonga (left) and Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma

to hearing the orchestra in the Singapore Esplanade Concert Hall! Every day with the orchestra is a reward in itself and to be around such high-level musicians during the entire process from first rehearsal to performance is something that just cannot be matched.”

What he learned from the opening concert was to see the orchestra being transformed from one rehearsal to another.

“One of the good things I experience is to see the orchestra go from good to great as the week progressed. A major lesson learned this week came from Yo-Yo Ma himself. He said that context can really shape a musician’s performance.”

Yes, he will still be music director of the ABS CBN Philharmonic and it was a good thing the calendar of the Hong Kong orchestra is finalized two years ahead of time. “The schedule is not that heavy actually. Since I share the position with Ms. Ip, that means I get to spend more time at home with my orchestra and my family.

It’s a win-win situation. What I learn in HK will naturally cascade down to my colleagues in Manila as well.”

The encounter of a lifetime in Hong Kong was meeting music director Van Zweden. “He’s very intense. I came to attend his rehearsals of Strauss Ein Heldenleben and Mozart Symphony No. 40. He’s a musician of the highest order, and I look forward to his mentoring. I only met him once, and it was at the audition — and he seemed like a very personable gentleman. I understand from those who have worked with him that he’s very serious in rehearsal, demands the best from everyone, but is also a kind-hearted human being who really cares about people.”

At this phase of his life as musician, Gerard is only sure about one thing. “I just want to learn, learn, learn. This is something that normally happens to much younger conductors fresh out of school.

In my case, I’ve spent a large part of my professional life as an arranger, as well as conductor of popular music. At this point, taking this step is a commitment to really seeing how far I can go as a conductor of serious music, and I intend to give it 100 percent. I couldn’t ask for more. Really.”

Festival Mexicana at SM Supermalls

The Instagram contest that commemorates the works of Eduardo Castrillo is ongoing until end of September

Samsung, Yuchengco Museum

IN celebration of the Mexico’s National Day this September, the Mariachi Achai Ensemble will give mall visitors a taste of Mexican music and culture at SM. A joint partnership between the Mexican Embassy in the Philippines and SM, Mariachi performances at SM Aura Premier Atrium were held on Sept. 16, and at the Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall on Sept. 14.

Achai is an organization that has represented Cajeme, Sonorous, and Mexico for the last 22 years. The institution helps in the cultural and integral growth of young people occupying their time in cultural activities that teach them discipline, preparation

and formation for their future lives.

One of their objectives is to teach the youth, the love for their traditions, music, and folklore.

One way is through its Mariachi musical group, which consists of 10 or more members, originally from Mexico, who play different instruments.

These include at least two violins, two trumpets, one Spanish guitar, one vihuela (a high-pitched, five-string guitar) and one guitarrón (a small-scaled acoustic bass.

The Mariachi Achai Ensemble consists of 10 members, nine Mexican and a Filipino. These are young people– mostly college students–with a basic

knowledge of music. Formed in 1996, the band made its first successful tour in 1997, and members are trained by director Ariel Guerrero who tapped the famous teachers of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jalisco, Ramon Becerra and Sara Latsanch.

The Mariachi Achai Ensemble is known for performing while going around the audience and will also perform songs of Juan Gabriel, a famous Mexican singer and songwriter.

The celebration of the Mexico’s National Day in the Philippines through the Mariachi – Achai band performances is one of the many cultural events at SM Supermalls

extend ‘Culture Connect: Castrillo @ 50’ IN August, Samsung and Yuchengco Museum launched Culture Connect: Castrillo @ 50, an Instagram contest, which aims to strengthen Filipinos’ patriotism and appreciation for public art.

The Instagram contest commemorates the works of nationalist Filipino sculptor, Eduardo Castrillo, as he celebrates 50 years of being a professional artist. Known as the monument maker, Castrillo created masterpieces such as Binhi ng mga Bayani at Rizal Park, and People Power located on EDSA, which are vivid reflections of the Philippine history and culture.

Culture Connect: Castrillo @ 50 has run through the entire duration of August, but has been extended until end of September to accommodate more entries.

Same contest mechanics remain applicable.

Post a photo of any of the select public art monuments on Instagram, and tell what it means to you as a Filipino.

Be as expressive and creative, tag @ CastrilloCultureConnect and use the hashtags #SamsungCultureConnect and #Castrillo50.

Up to three entries per person may be submitted under professional or open category. First-place winners under each category get a Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and a Gear VR. Winning contest photos will be featured on the Culture Explorer application.

Winning entries will be announced online on Oct. 7, and will be awarded on Oct. 13. Winners are to be contacted regarding the awarding through Instagram.

For more details, visit www.eduardocastrillo.com, and follow @CultureConnectCastrillo50 on Instagram.

The Mariachi Achai Ensemble, a group of musicians from the northwestern state of Sinaloa, brings Mexican traditional music and dance to the malls here in the Philippines.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

S

TAY peculiar. It is this theme of not only accepting our differences, but taking pride in them that resonated most with the filmmakers. As embodied in the upcoming visual spectacle by Tim Burton, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children stars an impressive group of multi-generational talents headed by Eva Green, Judi Dench, Samuel L. Jackson along with up and coming young stars Asa Butterfield, Ella Purnell, Finlay MacMillan, Lauren McCrostie, Pixie Davies, Georgia Pemberton, Raffiella Chapman, Milo Parker, Hayden Keeler-Stone, Cameron King, and Thomas and Joseph Odwell.

Based on Ransom Riggs’ bestselling compelling story of a group of outcast children, with strange abilities, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children introduces us to a young reluctant powerful hero, Jake, played by Butterfield.

When Jake discovers clues to a mystery that spans alternate realities and times, he uncovers a secret refuge known as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As he learns about the residents and their unusual abilities, Jake realizes that safety is an illusion, and danger lurks in the form of powerful, hidden enemies. Jake must figure out who is real, who can be trusted, and who he really is.

Visionary director Burton and creator of fantasy worlds, transports the audience anew into an exhilarating unforgettable movie experience in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. To cast the young residents of Miss Peregrine’s

special home, Burton went against expectations.

Enoch (Finlay MacMillan) is the oldest boy in the Home for Peculiar Children. Enoch’s peculiarity allows him to temporarily give life to inanimate objects, a skill he employs during an epic showdown with dark forces.

Olive (Lauren McCrostie) is a free spirit—with fire at her fingertips. She must wear long black gloves at all times because she ignites everything she touches.

Bronwyn (Pixie Davies) is small but mighty—the youngest and by far the strongest of the Peculiars. The pint-sized, brave, and dynamic character was a particular favorite of Burton’s.

Fiona (Georgia Pemberton) has a peculiarity that allows her to manipulate plant growth; in an instant she can turn the smallest seed into the tallest tree.

Claire (Raffiella Chapman) is a young Peculiar who by all

Jake (Asa Butterfield) and Emma (Ella Purnell), two of the peculiar children in Miss Peregrine’s home

Embrace the unique in ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children’

appearances is normal—except for the set of razor-sharp teeth on the back of her head.

Hugh (Milo Parker) is the resident “Lord of the Bees,” and he must wear a beekeeper’s mask to prevent the hive of bees that live within him from wreaking havoc on his friends.

Horace (Hayden KeelerStone) has the peculiarity of prophetic dreams. Every night, the Peculiars gather together and

Design artists (from left) Armand Serrano, Pascal Campion, Kim Jung Gi and Victoria Ying converge at the two-day conference that gives importance to various design processes

Popular artists in ICON 2016 Entertainment Design Conference On its third successful year, Icon Manila held its annual entertainment design conference at De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts.

The jam-packed auditorium consisted of students and professionals enjoyed the digitally inclined program with ICON Manila’s guest speakers who gave lectures on their expertise and works in their respectful industries.

ICON Manila’s roster included Aaron Blaise, prominent supervising animator, Pascal Campion, prolific FrenchAmerican illustrator and visual development artist, Kim Jung Gi, artist from Korea, and Victoria

Ying, visual development artist at Sony Pictures Animation.

The two-day conference gave high importance to various design processes in animation, film, games, illustration, fine arts, and other forms of visual design. The audience was given the chance to interact with the speakers during the Q&A, while other speakers preferred the audience to throw questions at them while giving them a live showcase of their skills.

According to Icon Manila’s Armand Serrano, “Icon Manila is all about keeping the ball rolling by inspiring, creating and giving back. The Philippine ethnicity is growing

in the industry and it’s not only Filipinos; Asians are growing, Europeans are growing, you cannot get a diverse industry compared to animation, it is one if not the most diverse industry.”

ICON Manila is a conference under ICON for Missions, a non-profit organization based in Eastvale, California. “By hosting various conferences all over the world, its purpose is to raise money to fund their Christian missions and humanitarian aid in needy communities,” says Sam Tanner, executive director of ICON for Missions.

For more information about ICON Manila, visit www. iconmanila.com

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, September 27, 2016

ACROSS 1 Made like a goose 7 Position 10 Invitation letters 14 Cling 15 Stretchy bandage 16 Vulcan’s forge 17 Ms. Rubinstein 18 Fan’s shout 19 Average guys 20 Kind of creel (2 wds.)

23 Violin holders 26 Lion’s quarters 27 Type of spruce 28 Bahrain VIP 29 Strong soap 30 Insect resin 31 Chaney of cinema 32 CB radio knob 33 Malodorous one 37 Joule fraction 38 Hole puncher 39 Banking convenience 40 That woman 41 Bugs in a garage 43 Urban transport 44 Great Lakes cargo 45 Put out of sight 46 Hirt and Gore

47 Orient 48 Delhi attire 51 Dallas sch.

52 Driving hazard 53 Zinc, e.g.

(2 wds.)

56 Estrada or Satie 57 Delivery truck 58 Eucalyptus munchers 62 Back the wrong horse 63 — take forever!

64 List of typos 65 Basin companion 66 Guitarist — Paul 67 Mississippi explorer (2 wds.)

DOWN 1 Derisive snort 2 Work by Keats 3 Red Wings org.

4 Zoo employee 5 Coastal fliers 6 Real bargain 7 Local booster 8 Globe feature 9 Burrito morsel 10 Be of good cheer 11 Dark ale 12 Sweater style (hyph.)

13 Harem head,

once 21 Shipboard romances 22 Choir selections 23 “People” person 24 Love in a gondola 25 Char 29 Bellowed 30 Name in spreadsheets 32 Gladstone 33 Mush 34 Opted for 35 Cliffside refuge 36 Buy a round

42 More dense, as fog 46 Revises 47 Hitching posts?

48 Stone monument 49 Crossbow bolt 50 Elevate 51 Metamorphosed shale 52 Saw logs 54 Worse than bad 55 Just scraped by 59 — Tzu 60 Legal rep 61 — Paulo

watch Horace’s vivid dreams projected onto a screen.

Millard (Cameron King) possesses the peculiar trait of invisibility, which makes him the most elusive—and mischiefprone—of the Peculiars.

The Twins (Thomas and Joseph Odwell) are the most enigmatic of the Peculiars. They wear masks that obscure their faces, and are speechless, and have a hidden peculiarity that

SOME of the Philippines’ multiawarded entertainers wowed international delegates and guests at the recently concluded Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2016 dinner reception at Marriott Grand Ballroom.

PHITEX is the country’s biggest and longest-running annual travel trade event presented by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).

The event treated more than 200 tourism buyers from across 35 countries to a series of incredible performances showcasing Filipino musical talent and prowess.

Headlining the impressive roster was Junior New System, one of Asia’s Got Talent season 1 grand finalists and recently hailed as Senior Grand Performer of the World. Other performers were the show violinist Juleous who garnered six gold medals at this year’s World Championship of the Performing Arts, and the multiawarded soloist Candice Adea together with her highly-acclaimed ballet dancer and choreographer sister, Carissa.

The vocal performances were also astounding. Baihana, a multi-awarded all-female jazz trio composed of Anna Graham, Krina Cayabyab and Mel Torre, sang with unique and refreshing harmony, while Raniella Guevarra, a young Filipina singer on the rise, rendered a heartfelt serenade.

The night would not be complete without a cultural show. A colorful display of lights was presented by the Buganda Dancers and Drumbeaters, a 36-

only comes to light in the most dangerous situations.

What makes the young Peculiars different is also what makes them able, strong and special. Miss Peregrine’s Home provides a safe haven from the outside world, which cannot comprehend or deal with the Peculiars’ special abilities. It’s also a refuge from their powerful enemies. “These children would be seen as freaks and would

be persecuted in the outside world,” notes Eva Green, who portrays Miss Peregrine. “In the remote island where they live and thrive, their ‘strangeness’ is celebrated as something special and beautiful.”

Opening tomorrow in 2D and 3D screens, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a 20th Century Fox feature film to be distributed by Warner Bros.

World-class Filipino entertainers at PHITEX 2016

Local performers at the annual travel exchange expo

year old festival dance company.

Whiplash Dance Company, the country’s top contemporary dance group also dominated the stage with their energy. Finally, Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild, the country’s best promoter of Philippine Arts and Culture, performed some of the country’s cultural folk dances.

Now on its 15th year, PHITEX

2016 continues to serve as the best venue to promote the Philippines to the international market.

With the impressive array of performances, PHITEX was able to highlight the Philippines not only as a top tourist destination for sports, adventure, lifestyle, business and leisure but also as a premier destination for worldclass entertainment.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com

D4

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

Showbiz

Young actor James Reid would like to take his recording career to a higher level.

Photos by Sonny Espiritu

Mercedes Cabral and Danish actor Mikkel Boe Folsgaard

Talent supplier asks why ABS-CBN junked their accreditation application

J

The other side of

By Nickie Wang

Y

ames eid R

OUNG heartthrob James Reid has made a legitimate name for himself in different creative arenas. Although he is best known for his impressive resume of film and television roles, he also has a quite interesting roster of songs that puts him on the same lane for “double treat” stars.

It’s a fact that people identify James more as an actor rather than a recording star, but how does this ubiquitous matinee idol would really like to be known for?

In an event held at The Brewery at The Palace in Taguig, the 23-yeard-old Viva talent was launched as one of the Manulife ambassadors (joining Sarah Geronimo and Richard Yap) for its financial literacy campaign #StartYourStory. We sat down with the young star and talked about his other passion – music.

Little did many people know that even before he won Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition in 2010, he has had a great passion for music. He learned how to play the guitar and the piano when he was only 12-years old.

“I realized that I can make music when I was young. I would make my own ring tones using my phone. Do you still remember the old phones, which we can make personalized tones?

That’s how I started basically,” he shared.

Reid would sit down for hours keying in special codes in his phone to create ring tones. It was the “in thing” before the advent of smart mobile phones and devices. Since then, James has not stopped creating music.

In fact, during the Manulife event, he treated the guests and members of the press to a mini concert performing three songs he wrote, one of them was inspired by his best pal Bret Jackson and the other one was dedicated to Nadine Lustre, his real life girlfriend.

“I have written a few songs for a new album, 10 songs to be exact. We’re supposed to release the album early this year but we ran out of time because I had to tape for a new teleserye. I hope we could release the album really soon,” he said.

He added that five of the songs he wrote for the new album are actually inspired and dedicated to his reel and real life partner, Nadine.

Heavily influenced by R&B, James lists Michael Jackson, Chris Brown and Justin Timberlake and local recording stars Gary V and Sam Concepcion as the music personalities he looks up to.

“I don’t really sing until PBB. I think I learned how to sing because of Chris Brown.

I sing his songs from Fame (Brown’s 2011 album) while in the shower. On the local scene, it’s Sam. He has the most amazing voice and talent in one body that I have ever

seen,” he confessed.

In May, James along with Nadine, was chosen to perform at the MTV Music Evolution, a concert series that featured international acts like pop alternative band OneRepublic, singer and songwriter Bebe Rexha, Korea’s favorite K-pop idol female group Apink, and L.A.-grown electric dance trio Far East Movement.. The concert was recorded live for global telecast reaching an international audience of more than three-quarters of a billion.

“At that time I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until afterwards I saw some videos from TV and I said ‘Oh My God.’ We performed after Gary V. It didn’t really hit that we are performing on the same stage with foreign artists until we were already on that stage.

I just feel extremely fortunate to be given such opportunity,” James exclaimed.

James is definitely headed in the right direction. His album Reid Alert has just been certified platinum after it sold more than 15,000 copies. The music videos released together with the album also enjoy a good audience on YouTube with the single “Wag Ka Nang Humirit” garnering more than five million views while most of his MVs are viewed at least two million times.

“I had a very fuzzy and blurry stage after PBB.. I didn’t know what I really wanted to do. But with the guidance and support of people who cared for me, and who believed in my talent, I think things fell into their proper places. And me being given the chance to take my music to another level is just one of things I’m really thankful for,” James concluded.

CONDE Center for Performing Arts and Talent Agency, established in July last year in Angono, Rizal, wanted to be accredited as a supplier of talent to the Kapamilya network. That has been the raison d’etre ISAH V. RED of the agency since the time it was founded

by Roderick M. Ignacio, who says he used to work as assistant director on television, having worked at GMA-7 and ABS-CBN. He said he is known as direk Deck.

In January this year, according to him, the agency the agency applied for accreditation and in the following month, it got an invite to a “talent suppliers orientation meeting.” In April, the agency received another letter inviting the officers to a “talent suppliers general assembly meeting.” Both meetings the officers of the agency attended. But after the last meeting they attended, Ignacio said, he never heard from the network again.

On Sept. 9, the agency got an e-mail from a certain Mars Sulit with an attachment that Ignacio said shocked him. Their application was declined. The reason? Some requirements were not fulfilled.

According to Ignacio, the letter sent via e-mail was very “informal” and didn’t seem like it came from a big network.

“Para po kaming pinersonal,” Ignacio wrote. “Okay lang po na hindi kame nakapasa pero sana naman po binigyan kami ng maayos na explanations kasi po nagbayad kami, nag-process ng maraming requirements at na-ghintay ng napaka tagal.”

If the group that process applications similar to Mr. Ignacio would like to answer Mr. Roderick M. Ignacio, do call his mobile phone 0915-8569760. I think he deserves an explanation. ** *

Derrick Monasterio, Bea Binene reunion

The tandem of Derrick Monasterio and Bea Binene will be reunited in a comedy called Tsuperhero soon to hit the boob tube. Monasterio plays a jeepney driver while Binene is a barker.

Both are looking forward to the show’s run on GMA Network in which they will perform with Gabby Concepcion, Alma Moreno, and Miggs Cuaderno, among others.

Fans of the two will definitely have another reason to celebrate as they will see them again on the small screen. ** *

‘Walking Dead’ in Filipino The Walking Dead series is now on free TV. Filipinos nationwide finally had the chance to delve into the world of Rick Grimes, Daryl Dixon and Shane Walsh as they navigate through the aftermath of a widespread zombie outbreak.

More than that, viewers were given the advantage of watching the series in Filipino – much like the variety of American shows aired on TV5.

The Walking Dead airs every Thursday night on TV5. The season one finale aired on Sept. 22, and season two premieres on Oct. 6, 7 p.m., A zombie actor during TV5’s ‘Walking Dead’ press launch on TV5. ** *

Danish film about a Filipina opens Danish film fest Tomorrow at the Shangri-La Plaza cinemas, the second Danish Film Festival unfolds with FreDerikke AsPöck’s 92-minunte film Rosita. It is about Johannes who lives together with his father, the middle-aged widower Ulrik in a small shing town in the northern part of Denmark. They live a quiet routine life, each minding their separate jobs in the shing industry.

Ulrik misses the love and tenderness of a woman and arranges for the young, beautiful, Filipino Rosita to come to Denmark - just as many other men in the town have done before him. Johannes is reluctantly drawn into this as Ulrik’s translator. However, over the following weeks Johannes and Rosita are getting more and more attracted to each other which forces Johannes to take responsibility for his dreams and his future.

Rosita is played by Mercedes Cabral. Screening starts at 8 p.m. after the opening cocktails.